PS 3535 
.E456 
S6 
1905 
Copy 1 



^^labeoftiieiniU 



n ^labe of the iWiU 



A FOUR ACT MELODRAMA 

.. .. BY .. .. 

HAL REID AND HARRY GORDON 



COPYRIGHTED BY GORDON & BENNETT 
1905 

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 



CHIEF PRINTING COMPANY 

PERRY, IOWA 
U. S. A. 






•^ n^ 



LIBRARY of congress] 
Two Copies Hece/veu { 

MAY 15 !905 I 

CLAS«/<Z?'XXC. No. 

111 Wll HI III _ J _. I 



^ 



CAST OF CHARACTERS 
.lA.MKS 15RAXD(>N, forea:aii in tlic Irmi Mills. 
, .UOKIvAXI) CKAXSTON', le^al adwiscr and new i)arliici in the Mills. 

■(^ GILBERT FOXTLKKOV. ])iivatc liankt-r and <.\\iut of liic In.n 

,5^ -Mills. 

'" 'N .\1()K(;AX STKKL. leader of the rtlrikeis. 

^ WALTKU FOXTi.EROY. liankiny eleik in the iMnitieroy Mills. 

^■ SI no 1.! I'TLE, otricc hoy. Wants to he a hero. 

I LAXO JJiJATAXO. an Italian oi-an ■^Tinder. 

^ CALEB .MOUTOX. hroker on the X; Y. Stoek E.\dian<re. 

-N ELIXOR FOXLLEROY, daughter of (Jilbeit Fontleioy, in love with 

*» .James Brandon. 

^ DOXXAZETTA r>RATAX(), an Italian ^irl wlu) was wronj^cd by 

Cranston. 

KITTY' ^ll'RPHY, house maid; ambitions to make a man out of Si. 
LITTLE .MARY, the child of Donnazetta. 
Strikers. ^loulders. Firemen, etc. 

ACT I. 

Seene 1. — Interior of Fontleroy's private banking ofi'iee sliowing 
large safe, banking rail, and desk. — Large screen window U. C. — Time 9 
A. iL Gilbert P^ontleroy discovered reading morning paper. 

FOXT. So, so! The ^vhole city of Xew Orleans is loud in its praise 
of [Nloiland Cranston — a man of honor. He will be the futiu'e companion 
of my daughter. Little do they suspect the banking firm of Fontleroy, ev- 
en now stands on the brink of ruin — and with its fall the great rolling- 
mills yonder close their doors against a howling mob of unpaid toilers. 
(Enter Si Doolittle. the office boy.) 

SL A message for you, sir. 

FOXT. (Reads m.essage.) "Silver Bar stock declines. ^lust meet 
the margin or you are ruined. Our holdings are 60,000 shares. Wire quick- 
ly, ^laxwell Gregg."' (^Vrites answer.) "Advance the margin and draw 
on the firm of F^ontleroy & Cranston. Gilbert Fontleroy." (Hands mes- 
sage to Si, wl;o exits.) And so they come. It is now 9 o'clock. Just one 
hour before the exchange throws open its doors. I must see Elinor and beg 
of her to treat the proposal of ^lorland Cranston with much consideration, 
iov liis imion wun my daughter is the only kej' to my escape from finan- 
cial ruin. He is rich, and — (Enter Elinor Fontleroy down the steps.) 

ELIX. Oh, father, the chase was glorious! I never saw my horse 
so full of life — the hounds so eager for the scent ! How they bayed as we 
followed, jumping the streams, crossing the meadows, urged on by the love 
of the true sportsman's delight! Xear the turn by the old Fort, I reached 
and plucked this spray of golden rod. See, father, how the Avork of Xature 
has modelled here all that is pure and beautiful. 

I. 



] 



» 



FONT. Pure iiiul hi-iiiitiriil ! Our Xation's t'lnlilciii |)aiiitcil liy lln- 
l)iusli of Naturi'. Imi;1)1ciii of Irci'doiii. prospciily and liappiiu's.s. Oli, glit- 
tering gold, for wl.icli we iiiorlals thirst -idol of millions — cniblpni of toil, 
siaxcry, and ruin! 

I'lLIX. \\ liy. fatiu'r. wlial has happened'.' \<i\\ do not seem your 
self tills moruiui:'. It was only a lew moments ago that 1 remarked to 
.lames how well you looked, and he expressed the hope that you wonhl 
soon relent and reeeixe him into our home. Oh, father, if you could only 
read my heait. my life, my \ery soul and si-e, see tleep down into its 
leeesses! There y(ai would read the word "L()^'1^■" — lovi- for him, my nnin- 
ly sweetheart! 

FONT. What! A laboier, a mill hand — taken into my home to 
drag the name of I'^)ntleroy down to shame and disgrace! 

I'll. IX. Stop father! V<ni know not what you say! dames Brandon 
is a man of noble woitli! V(nir only fault with him is that he is ])oor — 
pool- ill purse, but rieli in manhood! Did you not say yesterday that he 
was the only man tliat could control tl'.e men in the great mills V 

FOX'^T. Yes, but the thoiiglit of bringing him into our home drives 
n.e mad! 1 want to ask you to reconsider, ilorland Cranston will come 
thi.s morning for the purpose of arranging the details fin- tlie announcement 
of your engagement. 

ELIX. If }.!orland Cranston is coming here for any such purpose, 
he may as well stay away! 

F'OXT. Listen, my child! You shall kno\\- why your father wishes 
and liegs of you to accept Borland Cranston. Stocks have gone against me 
lately! Owing to the rise in raw material for the Mills and the dullne.ss 
of a market verging on a panic, I have lost every dollar in speculation, and 
the Silver Bar Mine will be the central figure on the Stock Exchange this 
morning. The stock is held by Maxwell, Cregg & Co. Morland Cranston is 
their representative. If I fail to keep up my margin, my credit is gone, 
and the name of Fontleroy must go down in disgrace. Morland has offered 
to liuy in the outstanding stock for me, when he has the promise of your 
hand. 

EUX. -Vnd so, father, you would sell me? Yon want to place a 
price on my head — yon want to gixe my life, my love, my happiness, at 
the cost of a broken heart! 

FONT. Xo. no. my child, not that, but I am old — with ruin star- 
ing me in the face! You arc of age toda}' and inherit the estate of your 
uncle. You should have some one to look after and care for J'ou, and Mor- 
land has been very kind to me in my declining years. 

ELIN. He has been kind to you, but kinder to himself, and the 
day will come when ^lorland Cranston will stand (enter Morland Cranston) 
liefore the world in his true colors — a thief — a villian! Oh, father, take the 
money I have and pay your margins! Let me make any sacrifice, but save 



1110 from such a fate I l.ct iiif yo to .lames |)crlia|is lie will know of some 
way to lu'lp us! 

R)\'r. Xo. he lias iiotliinj,^ to lu'lp with. Sciul Walter to me at 
oiiee. Tell liiiii to eoiiu- by the hank and hiiiij^ the iJuriiii^toii and l.ak(! 
Erie stocks, also the 4 per cent i)onds in the vault. ( Kxit Moiland) 

KLIX. Yes, fatlier. (.\t tlu- door.) I will <;(» at once. Use every 
penny I ha\e. my jewels, my i^owns. hut do not ask me to make my life 
a misery with .Moriand Craiistoii. (Music outside. Elinor e.vits.) 

FONT. That music again! Every note sounds like a dirge, telling 
of danger, ruin and death — financially! ((ioing to the door or window.) 
Oh. it is only a poor beggar bereft of sight! \\'retclied mortal! In liis 
eyes might once have glowed the light of hope and ambition! Oh, what a 
])ieture of despair, with a hand organ as the means of his living, gathering 
pennies here and tiiere to keep his misery in existence. Life is sweet! 
(Moriand Cranston enters C. D. ) So goes the world! To those who have, 
it shall be given, and from tho.se who hath not, it sliall be taken away! 

MORLAXD. Let me add a fitting line: "The less we have, the 
less independent we can afford to be." Ah, my dear Fontleroy, you do 
not know how anxious 1 was to reach here this morning, to liear of our 
fair Elinor. 1 trust you have banished all thoughts of any relations with 
the shop foreman, -Tames Brandon, whose services I think best to dispense 
with at once. 

FONT. You are right, but at this particular time he is the only 
man who can avert a strike. Y'et, his being out of the way is our only 
lio})e of ever blotting liis memoiy from her mind. 

MORLAX'D. It is a very easy matter to get him out of the way. 
Leave it all to me. (Aside) Tiie raging terror of this threatened strike 
favors any desperate end that I might see fit to employ. (Turning to 
Font.) He must leave the country! 

FONT. But the family honor? Suppose Elinor should object and 
cause publicity? She is headstrong, and — 

^MORLAND. If you will lea\e it all to me, my dear ISlv. Fontleroy, 
everything will be safe when he is aAvay and Elinor is mine! Then the 
firm will be CVanston and Fontleroy. We will bull the market on a slump 
and retire into the background to live comfortably for the rest of oiu- 
lives, all happy together. 

FONT. Has there been any settlement as to the scale of wages 
for September? 

MORLAXD. Xo, nor will there be any grievance presented, if this 
Brandon is removed He is the fountain head, of all the mill trouble, and if 
I may say, 1 am sure that your son, Walter, is in close sympathy with 
his every action and keeps him advised as to our movements. 

FOXT. Xonsense! Walter would not dare — 

ilORLAXD. And yet he and Elinor are inseparable, and the hope 



of one i^ tilt' wisli of tlu' other! (Kilter Si.) 

SI. .Mr. •Imiics Hr;iiiiloii. 

FONT. .Vdiiiit liiiii. (Si exits) (To .Morlaiul.l .\ot one word 

i'.s to wiiat lias passi-d in'tw ei^n iis. Vou iiiusl first see Kliiior. ( ICiitiT 
James Bnuulon.) 

.I.\.MI':S. .Mi-. JMintleKiy, I called to .see if the Cramp order for the 
.Armour plate was t<> be filled from the surplus stoek or special east. 

l'\)X'r. I have placed all such matters in the hands of the financial 
manaj^er, Cranston. 

^lORl.AXD. \\ iio will take pleasuic in rereriiiii; you to the orig- 
inal order, as sent to the mill liy Walter Fontleroy, my bankinj^ clerk. 

JA.MJ'^S. Your pardon, ueiitlemen. but the order was blank of any 
instructions so I thought it i)olicy to call. 

MORLAXI). (Sueeriniily.) Thinkino- tbat you, in your vauutiiii,' 
I)iesumi)tion, mi^ht perhaps see Miss Elinor, no doubt! 

JAMES A matter of business brought lue here this morning, and 
I have no Avish to discuss matters of personal nature, as my time is lim- 
ited. There is danger, of a strike. 

FONT, hut their demands are luijust — 

JAMES. 1 think that you are paying all you can under the cir- 
cumstances. 

FONT. What do you mean bj' circumstances? 

JAMES. The opinion of the men is that the mill is paying well 
enor.gh, but — 

FONT. But what? Go on. 

JAMES But that Wall Street is the coffer that swallows up their 
haid earned wages and makes them want. 

MORLAND. Who is so wise (Sneering) that the business of this 
firm shall be discussed by the toilers of the mill? 

FONT. Yes, who could advance the idea? 

JAMES. It is wrong for a man in broadcloth to think that men 
who wear working clothes are all fools — among them are many — who driv- 
en to common labor — feel as you feel above the labor they aie compelled 
to do — and who spend much of theii' time in rebellion — which they voice 
to others — one such man has advanced the idea and the mill is ablaze with 
rumors of a strike. 

MORLANI^. It is (juite evident that it is James Brandon who feels 
aVjo\e his present jjosition, and I believe it will be no longer necessary to 
employ you, after Saturday night. 

JA^IES. Veiy well^ gentlemen, and be assured that I shall fill every 
duty until my last hour. (Aside) Thank God that I may be able to stay 
until Saturday night. Not for them, but for the love of Elinor. (Enter 
Walter with satchel of money, takes off street coat, puts on office coat, 
I'.angs street coat up on rack.) 

4- 



WAI/rKi;. Why ,i;()<i(I iiioniinji-. .lanics! I was just goiiifi;' to tin- 
iiiill to Icll Vdii that I h'it the iiist iiic-t imi lilaiik on the Aiinoiii- plato order, 
imiiUciitidiially at hdinc. I'lcasc use tlinsc on hand. (Stcjis to safe to ilu- 
|)osit satfhi'l.l 

MORLAXI). ^'oll will |)ai(loii inc. ^jciit IcnuMi. 'riicic have liccii too 
many such ciTors of late, and it has made discipline of the men most im- 
jiossihle under liraiidou. 

WAL'I'KU. (Angrily, t'oriicltini; to lock sale.) \nu lie! .Morland 
CraustoM. 

{•'ON'T. Stop instantly Waltei — ('I'o Morland) I wish to speak to 
niy son in the private otiicc. if you will excuse nu". 

WALTKlv. The piivate office is not necessary, fatiier. I have not 
said one word that 1 feel small enough to retract, '{'o my positive know- 
Ipdjife, -James Brandon has been in every way faithful to his employment. 
He i.s tlie only man today who holds a furious strike in subjection, Avitli 
starvation wages, while you, ^Morland CVanston, and myself, speculate 
with their bread, on the l^oard of Trade. Even at the door groans a mob. 
ar.d dan-es Braiulon. alone, stands between you and ruin. 

dA.MES. But. \^'alter. 1 am now discharged by the gentleman who 
has assumed control. 

\VALTE1\. (ientlenurn':' When he stoops to kick a poor old musi- 
cian from his path who imphnes him for a penny, to keep his miserable 
body from starvation? If that is what yon call a gentleman, I thank 
(iod 1 am simply a man. 

BORLAND. Bah! I have other things to do, than to stoop to 
e\ery beggar I chance to meet. 

WALTER. He is human. You are both from the same God, thoii^fh. 
Fate decreed you in a difl'erent walk of life. This Fate often brings such 
as yon lieneath your \ictims. Mark it! INfoiland Cranston! Such dee]) 
seated inhnmanity never went mipnnished yet! ((iroans, uproar outside, 
Walter Fontleroy and l\.'oiland locd^; snr])rised.) 

JA.MES. My (iod! The strike! 1 must hold them back. (Aside) 
- or Elinor, for Elinor! It means rnin to the Fontleroys. (James exits 
]). F. Walter and Font exit after. Enter Elinor frightened.) 

F]L1X. What means all this noise? Who are those men? 

^lORLAXD. It means, my dear girl, that unless your father meets 
their demands within 24 horns, two thousand men Avalk from the great 
mills: that tlie forclosure of the Silver Bar mine takes place within lo 
minutes, after the opening of the Stock Exchange, that your father will 
be forced into bankruptcy, and ycnu' home, luxtn-y. bonds, stocks and all. 
go to the creditors, unless you — 

ELIX. Yes, yes, I know. ]My father has told me all — and see, see 
I beg, T implore, for my sake, for God's sake — (Xoise, mob groans) Hear 
those iiowling men! My poor father! The shock will kill him! Have 

5- 



iiicicy on tnc. as yo\i cxiicct incrcy form tlic (Jod alioxc us! 

.MOltLAX I). This is all idle iioiisciisc. I lo\c yon iiia(ll_\', passion- 
ately, and — 

KLIN. Do not say it, foi- it fiiills my vvvy soul, 1 lia\c but one 
lo\(', and tliat is a saciod tiiist in tlie bosom of one yonder (Xoise) and 
my iieart li'oi's out to hhu witli all the feiNor of youth and womanliood. 
1 will ffive you money — all tliat I have on earth — everythinf'' — <M'erythinjr 

MORLANJ). Except your lieart. 

EUN. That is not mine to give. But why do I waste words with 
you. Vou lun e my answer. 1 would l)e<;' rather than to give luy hearl 
to a man who would attemjit to force the love of a woman, by such coward- 
ly methods as yon employ. Sneak that you are! Would that my poor 
father had known you better long ago. (Noise.) Listen ]\Iorland Crans- 
ton, that is your work! (Rushes to the door. Points out.) 

MORLAND. (Aside) Yes it is my work and witli its full fury. 
1 can acomplish any end that I may choose. (Enter Si.) 

SL A messenger for ]Mis.s Fontleroy. 

ELJN. (Reads.) Buy Lake Erie Stock. It is srue of an advance 
to-day. Maxwell Oregg'" Lake Erie Stocks. I will place $40,000 in it 
then, win or lose. (To Si.) No answer. (Exit Si.) 

MORLAND. Are you mad? Will you throw away your good credit 
witli that of your father? Lake Erie will drop, and with it, the last ves- 
tige of hope, to pay the demands of that seething mass, yonder. (Noise.) 
The Stock wire opens in half an hour and for the last time, will you ac- 
cept, and save the Silver Bar Mine? Shall I call your father, and tell him 
that you have agreed to become my wife? 

ELIN. You may call him if you wish, but my answer remains the 
same. 1 shall buy the Silver Bar mine with the raise in Lake Erie Stocks. 
I will return in time for the opening of the market. Now% Mr. Morland, 
Cranston, whether 1 win or lose, never approach me again with the sub- 
ject of matrimony or 1 shall horsewhip you publicly for the scoundrel that 
you are! (Exit Elinor.) 

MORLAND. Win or lose. Will she win, shall I let her win? Will 
Lake Erie rise to-day — well not if I can help it. (Enter Si.) 

SI. ^Message for Mis:--. Fontleroy. 

]MORLAND. I will take it to her, she is in the next room. 
* SI. It isn't buusiness Sir. 

^lORLAND. (Snatches message.) Business the devil — I am her 
father's paitner and 1 will give her the message, there is no answer. Be- 
gone! (Exits Si.) (Reads message.) Stocks bulled buy Lake Erie — 
^laxwell Gregg. A second message, so she stands to win, this will never 
do. It means the loss of my game and the shattering of my cherished 
hopes. (Music outside.) There goes that infernal music. Ever since 1 
kicked that Ijlind beggar aside, every note seems to torture me as an evil 

6. 



omen. His image to — liis wickod visage — seems to liaunt me that tune — 
tlic sanu! my motlicr usod to wing — the same tliat Donnazetta sang in her 
clear Italian Noicc years ago. When — when I well, its all oxer now. llcr 
ghu'lons eyes burned intu my soul-and set me mad with a desire to po- 
ssfss her, \eiy sweel wi-re thosi' tiiiec years in Italy, under the azure 
skies — and in tlie glory of the sunsets — how she lovetl me, poor litth^ devil, 
sjie was honest, siie thought tiiat \\e were honestly marrieth (Knter Don- 
nazetta '.vitii taml)(unine dressed as Italian giil. She extends tambourine 
rattles it, extends it for pennies, sees Morland, drops tandxiuiine. runs, 
kneels, grabs his liand, kneels, kisses it.) 

DOX. Ah! Deo mai — all! ,Morlan! Morlan, at-a last— at-a last — 
l-a find-a you. (Sobs.) 

.MOKl.AXD. Doiinazi'tta! 

DON. Se — se — Donnazetta — your-a wife — de-a waiting been-a so 
hmg — so long — but Donnazetta she-a pray — she-a prayto-a de — good-a God 
for-a you. Datta soni-a day she find-a you ah! me-o Morlan. l-a find- 
a you at-a last — at-a last? 

]\IOIll^AXD. (Looks about, aside.) Should anyone come I am lost 
(L. to Don.) and you \o\e me still Donnazetta? 

DOX. Love-a you ilai King — se — se I love-a you, I love-a you, 
you could-a not help to go away — no — you could not-a help to go away? 
^ MORLAXD. Xo Donnazetta, I could not, you are right, I have 

loved you all the time, 1 love you yet! 

DOX\ Ah Deo 3lai — Deo Mai — (Fondles, kisses his hand.) 

MORLAXD. Where do you live Donnazetta — tell me so that I may 
come — 

DOX. Se — se. (Rises.) eet eez on-a de pape — (Hands him card) 
You-a will come — Mai Jlorlan — now zat I haf found-a you, you will-a 
come? 

MORLAXD. Yes. I wil come Donnazetta, this evening after busi- 
ness hours — I will come to see you my — my — wife! 

DON. (Laughs gleefully, claps hands as a child.) Son-sa-lee-to Va 
veer-lo — son-sa-leeto — Va-veer-lo! 

:\IORLAXD. And the child, Donnazetta, the little girl, what of her? 

DON. (Sadly.) Gone! 

MORLAXD. (Eagerly, gladly.) Dead? 

DOX. Xo-a thank de good-a God — she live! 

:M0RLAXD. (Disappointed) Lives where? 

DOX. I know-a not, de poor-a Fadd — (Father) he-a go-a blind — Ave- 
a starves — I take her to-a de — good-a sist, I puts on de pape her-a name 
Donnazetta — (To herself) Den-a some one-a com' and take-a her! 

MORLAXD. You took her to the Little Sisters of the poor and 
icnieone adopted her, is that it Donnazetta? 

DOX. Se — and-a now every day every hour I-a go wid-a de org — 

7- 



I-a look— I-a lodk t'(ir-a <\v l)al)t>- iiiia licait cry out t'or-a my cliilil. 

MORLANI). (Aside) rni safe moii^li on llial Avow. (Aluud lu 

])(iM.) 'ii> now nomia/.ctta. I will sec you this cNciiin^-, j^o! 

DON. So — se — ^1-a go — 1-a go aiid-a wait and-a watch for-a you — 
for-a you for niy-a my king t'oi--a uiia Morlan! Sou sa loe — to va — veer lo-so 
sa — leets — va — veer lo! (Kxit ]~)oiinazetta.) 

MOIILANI). (Looking alter her.) 1 will eouu' Douuazetta — have no 
tear, I will come, and you will go lo your gra\('! ('IMcker sounds, he 
grabs the rihiions.) liuy — Lake Erie — ^Thonuis W. Lawson, so Lawson is 
with the Krie eiowd — tlien she is sure to win. Elinor Fontleroy, you sliall 
not defy nie. Donnazetta — nobody — notiiing sliall stand in my way. L 
will humble you and your haughty pride to the dust at my feet. (Looks 
at safe.) Everything she possesses lies there! (Mob yell outside.) Still 
they rave — ^Morgan Steel has done his Avork well. (He goes to safe.) 
Unlocked! (Mob yell.) Howl on, howl on you frenzied brutes. (He slow- 
ly opens safe, opens satchel.) Ah! the bonds. The weekly pay roll. (Mob 
yell.) Howl on, howl on, you human wolves — you'll have a real cause to 
complain now!. (Fumbles in safe.) Ah! Elinor's $40,000, mine all mine. 
(Loots safe and satchel, replaces satchel in safe.) Let's see, let's see. 
(Turns sees Walter's street coat upon rack.) That's it! That's it! 
(Places a couple of papers in the pocket of Walter's coat.) I'd better lock 
the safe Avhich he forgot, when he gave me the lie! (Goes, locks safe. 
Ticicer sounds, he turns, grasps and looks at tape.) (Enter Walter.) 

AA'ALTEE. Why are you skulking here like a cowardly cur while 
James Brandon and my father are out there pacifying that howling mob. 
You are as much a partner in this firm as father. 

^lORLAND. Contain yourself young sir, I fancy I know my busi- 
ness. 

WALTER. Yes, that of coward and sneak — -you may be able to 
hoodwink my father, Morland Cranston, but it won't work with me! 
(Walter exchanges off'ice jacket for street coat during above speech.) 

:M0RLAND. Indeed ? 

^VALTER. Yes, indeed and so soon as this excitement is over, I 
shall try to convince my father that I am right. 

MORLAND. Do so by all means and I shall beggar you all, father 
included, whenever he turns on me! 

WALTER. Not while my sister has $40,000 in this safe. (Goes to 
it.) Why I left it unlocked. (Yell outside, Walter quickly slams safe 
and turns combination.) We defy you Morland Cranston — I am going 
now for OTir Broker and we shall fight our battle here! Exit Walter on a 
run.) 

ilORLAND. It is war then — and it shall be war unto the death — 
now to get rid of this swag so that it shall not betray me — to the Stock 
Exchange a few moments and then back here — and old Fontleroy may take 

8. 



J..S choice of me as a son-in-law — after I have disposed of Donnazetta, or 
total ruiii^and 1 ratlier fancy 1 know which lie will choose! (Kxit Mor- 
land, enter Kitty loading- little Mary nicely dressed, followed by Si.) 

SI. Oh! Kitty, Kitty what has brought you here to see nie the 
great broker. 

KITTY. (Laughs.) You a great broker — you. (Laughs.) 

SL Yes, nie the great broker — I'm broke all the time! 

^lAKY. Where's Auntie Elinor, Kitty you said that she would be 
here? 

KITTY. She'll be here presently Mary — go look out the window — 
and maybe yon will see her comin%. 

.AIARY. Oh! All right Kitty. I will, for I love Auntie Elinor so 
nnieli. (Runs, looks out window.) 

KITTY. (To Si.) And so she should love Miss Elinor, for adopt- 
ing her from the sisters and giving her a home. 

SI. That's right Kitty, I wish somebody would adopt me, you for 
instance — but what brought you here? 

KITTY. ]\Iiss Elinor told me to bring Mary here to her. 

SI. And we are alone my gentle, Juliette — ^we are alone — < 

KITTY. No we are not, Mary is here. (Points to Mary in window.) 

SI. She's busy looking for Miss Elinor. I would not care if all 
the world were here. Kitty, oh Kitty, hear my palpitating heart, and 
feel my fervent words of love. 

KITTY. If you really live me — really truly love me — die, and I 
will see tnat your grave is kept green. 

SI. No, no, my angel Kitty — did, I swear I'll never die and leave 
you here, to toy with the young and susceptible affection of Abel Green. 

KITTY. (To audience.) See what we poor women have to suf- 
fer. 

SI. Now, when I was in the army — 

KITTY. You never were in the army — 

SL I was. ' 

KITTY. You weren't. 

SL I was. 

KITTY. In what kind of an army? 

SI. In the Salvation Army. 

KLLTY. Aw, pshaw ! There is no fighting in that army. I'll never 
marry a man until he has proven himself a hero, by going to war and 
facing the cannon's mouth, (Bus) and when the enemy is advancing he 
must draw his sabre and charge. 

SI. Charge — I've done that — I had this suit of clothes charged. 

KITTY. No, charge up to the enemy, and rout them. 

SI. I had some pork and beans charged at the lunch counter. 

KITTY. Pigs have nothing to do with this. I mean an army. 

9- 



SI. A pig could rout an army. 

KITTY. No, a man is to rout an army, and tlien come murcliing 
home, and everyone will call liim a hero. 

SI. But suppose, Kitty dear, a cannon hall would gently splatter 
my brains upon a tree. What tlien? 

KITTY. That would be impossible, you have no brains. 

SI. But suppose, Kitty dear. 

Kl r'i'\'. it' you should lose youi- head in the war. a hero, I 
would say, "He died bravely," and I would plant the sweetest for-gct-me- 
nots on your grave. 

SI. Kitty dear, my supporter! (Kneels.) Oh, I busted my sus- 
])endcr! Where, oh, where, will 1 find a war, so that 1 may gi\e my heart's 
blood in my un-dying love for you? 

KITTY'. Go to Russia, you'll find one there. 

SI. And get "Jappanned" not on your life — oh! a war, my kingdom 
for a war! a nice quiet — where nobody gets hurt war. 

KITTY. Hear me Silas Doolittle, for here I swear! 

ST. Oh, Kittj don't do it! Remember the child. (Points to Mary.) 

KITTY. Unless you prove yourself a hero within the next month, 
I v.-ill marry Abel Green. 

SI. That old bag of wind! I'll murder him! (Mysterious bus.) 
vSh! \A'hen you find mj- cold, cold corpse lying at your feet, think, oh, 
think, Kitty, my love, that I died for you — and in the defense of my coun- 
try — a nuirtyred hero, and when I am wading the ley river to the New 
Jerusalem, in my stocking feet, think, oh think, that the water is cold, 
and that my manly form is shattered by tine schrapnel shells of the blood 
stained fields of battle. Will, oh will you then give me a lock of your 
hair ? 

K[TTY. Y"es, yes. 

SI. Farewell! (On knees.) Ah, lovely creature, I leave you for a 
tim.e but I will soon return. (Enter Elinor.) 

MARY'. (Runs to Elinor.) Auntie Elinor, Auntie Elinor, I'm so 
glad, so glad. 

ELIN. And so am I dear. (Kisses Mary.) Wait here Kitty — I 
])romised ]Mary a doll today and so told you to bring her. I had no idea 
of being so busy — and yet I always like to keep my w^ord — ^I'll be back in 
just a few moments. Come Mary! 

MARY'. A great big dollie. What shuts her eyes Auntie Elinor? 

ELIN. (Laughing.) Yes a great big dollie what shuts her eyes — 
come along. (Exit Elinor and Mary.) 

KITTY'. What was that new song you were singing last night 



Si? 



SI. Will you love me if I sing it to you? 
KITTY^. I won't promise — ^let me hear it first. 



TO. 



SI. All right (Specialties for Si and Kitty.) (After specialty re- 
enter Elinor anJ Mary. Mary carries a doll.) 

ELIN. Here we are Kitty, t'oiue on I'll go a ways with you. 

KITTY. Yes mam Miss Elinor. (Exit Elinor and Mary.) (To Si.) 
Kaicwcll, fare thee well sweet Montague. 1 shall "bust"' with that con- 
suming grief until I again behold you. (Exits tragically.) 

SI. Oh for a war — a bloody — reeking — thundering war — I'd mount 
my snorting charger — and gallop up to the very mouths of the brazen can- 
non and slay — and slew — and slay and slit — (Makes pass as if cutting R. 
and L. with sword.) (Enter Morland followed by Steel. Steel is a low 
browed bewhiskered workingnu^n.) 

MOKLAND. (To Si.) Get out you fool! 

SI. Get out— you bet— (Si exits.) 

IMORLAND. ('"o Srpel.) Wlien did you say, Steel, that you could 
bring this strike to a crisis? 

STEEL. Can't say exactly. Within two or three days. 

3.I0RLAND. How is it that things have gone against you of late? 
I thought it was on now. 

STEEL. No, Brandon — D — n him held it off again, say what's your 
game anyway? 

MORLAND. Oh! (Dissembling) Nothing so very big but since 
you have been compelled to seek labor, as a means of employment, I can 
throw a few dollars in your way, so you can gain your former footing. I 
know you are not a man who will be contented with honest employment 
liDUg, and tliat you only use work to help you to something better. Cause 
this strike and a hundred is yours. 

STEEL. A hundred for the job is very little and I know you do not 
play for stakes that are very small. 

MORLAND. I really cannot stand any more. I too, have met with 
bad luck. Y^ears ago in Italy, I succeeded in making a haul, but it cost 
me twice that to get clear of that job in Paris. I saw prison bars staring 
me in the face, and I could only clear myself with money, as I was in a 
strange land. This is easy. These workingmen will easily fall before 
yoiu- influence, and you can incite this strike, and get your start. It's 
dead easy, and you are just in the position to do the work. 

STEEL. What is your object in my causing this disturbance? 

MORLAND. INIy object is this — I, for some reason or other have 
fallen desperately in love with this Miss Fontleroy. Brandon this fore- 
uum, is my rival, and I am not the man to let such as he out-do me, in my 
infatuation, so you see, my object is not for money. Now, as a favor to 
a friend, who has been with you in many a job, will you help me through 
this? 

STEEL. Cranston, you love nothing. Y'ou only imagine you do. 
Many a man, like you and myself, has allowed a woman to put him behind 

II. 



the bars. Do not be foolisli, and allow her to swamp you. 

.^lC)RLAND. In this case, I shall not be outwitted by a niill-fore- 
n;an. Will you do it, oi not? 

ISTEEL. Yes, 111 strike lor a liuiidrcd. 

MORLAND. It's yours. 

STEEL, tiood-day. 111 ^'i docked by your friend, if I stay longer. 
(Exit Steel.) 

MORLAND. (;ood bye, old pal. lie believes nie. 1 would i)e wil- 
ling to pay him a thousand, but he woidd want more, even at that. No 
one here. {Seats himself.) Oh, well, there is time enough, for this is 
the day that uiarl:s tlie close of the career of Fontleroj^, Wall Street has 
lured him too far. How are those so mighty fallen? While he is so 
minute in the greater details, he overlooks the lesser ones, me for in- 
stance, who am now ready to assume control while he and family fall 
into the background of retired and aristocratic poverty. The Silver Bar 
comes und^r my control to-day, Lake Erie may rise, but the Fontleroys 
are without moaej'. It is all mine now. (Looks at watch.) How time 
drags. 1 am so anxious to behold his proud posterity humbled to the 
dust, Fontleroy ruined, Walter a branded criminal, and Elinor humbled to 
the dust, within my power. (Enter James.) Disturbance still continues 
at the mill? 

JAilES. I induced the men to go back to the mill and to work, they 
are all quiet now, until 6 o'clock, and God knows what will happen after 
that. 

MORLAND. (Smiles) What brings you here? 

JAMES. A little business of my own. (Seats himself on desk.) 

JMOELAND. I see you are quite at home. 

JAMES. Oh, yes. I was a messenger here for 5 years. 

MORLAND. It seems to me that your business is at the mills. 

JAMES. My business lie^e, is for the mills, in a kind of a round 
about way. 

MORLAND. In what way? 

JAMES. My presence at the mills now only tends to excite ques- 
tions for the men, that I am not expected to explain, so I came here to 
speculate. 

MORLAND. You speculate! What have you got to speculate with? 

JAMES. With very little, that's a fact, but a small speculation, in 
this case, promises to j^ay well. I sold our home not ten minutes ago, for 
$1,200.00. It might make me rich. If I lose I can at least have the satis- 
faction of having been a speculator. (Ticker, both rush, James reaches 
instrument first.) 

JAMES. Lake Erie! (Stops sliort, tears off ribbon and lights 
cigar from gas jet.) 

:M0RLAND. Lake Erie. Any news from Lake Erie? 

12. 



JAMES. 1 am sorry. I just lit my cigar witli it. An old trick 
acquired while I smoked cigarettes. 

MORLAND. Quite a trick I see. (Aside) Jt is a little dangerous 
for money to fall into his hands at this particular time. Bah! What are 
twelve hundred dollars on the Board of Trade, in these days of the fast 
old world? What leads you to speculate? (Aloud) 

JA^IES. ilotives inspired by love. My poverty is a curse, held in 
the iron hand of fate. I believe that Lake Erie goes up to-day. The 
stocks have been held in a slump too long. They are worth more than 
quoted and they've got to raise. 

MORLAND. Lake Erie will drop still lower today. How strange 
that you and Miss Fontleroy insist on Lake Erie's going up. Two hearts 
that beat as one, 1 suppose. You are both going to find yourselves missing 
on Lake Erie. It will drop still lower. The Fontleroys have nothing to 
lose at this particular time, and you have very little. 

JAMES. Well, the idea t\-ith me is this, in this speculation I am 
sure to win. If we both lose, she comes to my level, poverty, if I win, I 
step a step nearer her's, riches. I'll stake all on this single turn. 

MORLAND. Queer philosophy, yours. Do you think we can avert 
the strike? 

JA]\IES. I believe not, as long as you continue to hold talks with 
it's chief promoter. 

MORLAND. (Springing up.) Wliat do you mean? 

.JAMES. I mean that some one is inciting this strike, and my sus- 
picion is in your direction. To anyone else but myself, such suspicion 
would be out of reason. To me, it is a settled fact. You can stop this 
strike. 

MORLAND. How dare you make such insinuations? 

JAJVIES. I dare because I speak the truth. You can stop this 
strike in the one way which is safe to the interests of the mills. Advance 
wages. That is all that will save Fontleroy's ruin. You know it. You 
refuse, and it is good evidence, that you wish his downfall. The wages 
are starvation. Tlie mills can pay more, yet it refuses, and For eroy is- 
so blind that he cannot see it. 

MORLAND. You speak in a way that is contemptuous, because, 
I stand as your rival. 

JAINIES. I do not regard you as a rival, Morland Cranston, your 
favor in the eyes of Elinor is not much that I should fear you as a rival. 
I fear you only as a man ready for any end that will bring about your 
own desires. Not as a rival, for you do not stand highly enough in IVIiss 
Fontleroy's estimation. Will you raise the scale of wages? 

MORLAND. No! No! 

JAAIES. Then to-night the men- are beyond my power, and you 
will have your satisfaction unless I can get money to right matters for 

13- 



JVliss Fontleroy's sake. If I win on Lake Eric, I can do it. 

MORLAKD. The strike is no concern of your.s. Attend to your 
own business. 

JAjMES. It is a personal concern of Miss K<)ntleroy'.s, ;uui slic will 
accept an}' aid tliat 1 sliail ^ivc iici-, in tliis hour of lier despair, until Ihc 
disadvantage that causes the disturbance can be removed. 

MORLAND. \\hat is the disadvantage? 

JAllES. You are the disadvantage. 

MORLAND. (Starts) You 1—! 

JAMES. (Warningly) Be careful, raise the wages, if it is not tlie 
truth. (Enter Caleb ^lorton, a broker.) 

MORTON. Why, hello James! What brings you here? 

JAIMES. What brings them all here? 

MORTON. So, you are going to speculate my boy. Thought you'd 
get into it long before this. Bad business for some. What you going to 
buy? 

JAMES. I believe in 'Lake Erie. 

MORTON. Lake Erie is slumped. Better look out.. 

JAlNfES. How's she quoted? 

MORTON. 68, 1/4. Better try wheat. 

JAMES. Ten shares. Protect two points. (Enter Fontleroy, brok- 
er and James dumb conversation.) 

FONT. Ah, Morland, I see that you are here. 

MORLAND. Oh, yes, I'm here. How do things stand in the Silver 
Bar Mine? 

FONT. Can't hold it. I've tried to unload, as the stock has ad- 
vanced so. I cannot protect it any longer. Raised three points yesterday, 
it's no use Morland, the only hope is in the mills. Suppose we raise the 
wages. We can stand it. 

MORLAND. Let them strike. 

FONT. But we can't stand a strike. It means ruin for me. If I 
could stave it off even for a week, then I might have some chance. 

MORLAND. Oh! I don't believe they will strike. (Pointing to 
James.) You see our foreman here, speculating a little. 

FONT. He should be at the mills. 

MORLAND. Why not give him his time now, for the neglect of 
duty ? 

FONT. My God! ]\Iorland, it would never do. He alone holds me 
from ruin. (Turning to James.) James why are you here at this par- 
ticular time? Why not at the mills? 

JAMES. It is much better that I am away from the mills now. 
My presence there only incites the men to continue the excitement. 

FONT. I did not think of that. There is a great deal of truth in 
it. (James goes back to Morton, Elinor enters.) 

14. 



ELIN. My money is liere fatlicr, all that I have. 15uy Lake Erie. 
. ell and protect the Silver Bar for all it is worth — 

MUKLAND. (Aside) By Heaven, she talks well. 

FONT. Never did. I liope to live the day that 1 would use my 
child's money on the Board of Trade. (Dumb conversation with Morland 
in which Fontleioy appears to be much grieved.) 

ELIN. NVhy, James, are you here? I am so glad to see you. 

JAMES. I am here to speculate. I believe also tliat Lake Erie lias 
got to rise. (Ticker, all rush.) 

MORTON. The market's opened, gentlemen. (Writes on i)laek- 
board.) "Silver Bar 186." 

FONT. She goes up. I can't stand snch advances much longer. 

MORTON. (Writes.) "Union Pacific 98." 

MORLAND. That stock holds its own well. Very little for sale. 
1 am anxious for Lake Erie. 

FONT. Greatly improved. She's got to do something soon. 

MORTON. Canadian Pacific 89. 

FONT. Will Lake Erie never come? 

MORLAND. Silver Bar advances two points. 

FONT. Great Heavens, I can't stand it that long. Will Lake Erie 
never come? 

MORTON. Lake Erie two points down. 

ALL. Lake Erie! 

ELIN. Now's your time, father. 

JAMES. (To broker.) Protect two points more. 

MORTON. Lake Erie 86. 

JAMES. Up she goes. Now is your tin^e ?' 

ELIN. I believe, father, now is the most favorable time. Pool all 
I have. 

^MORTON. Lake Erie goes down two points, 84. 

MORLAND. Fontleroy, I tell you the stock is uncertain. It will 
be the most foolish investment you ever made. Buy Silver Bar and save 
your credit. 

FONT. That is impossible. $40,000.00 will never cover it. 

MORLAND. Silver Bar preferred today, gave color to the rumor 
that the Northwest situation is getting near a settlement, and that a 
definite announcement of plans will shortly be made. Silver Bar preferred 
sold up to 196, and closed 194, i/o- A net advance of 3, Vi points, buy what 
you can and save yourself! 

MORTON. Silver Bar. 

ALL. Silver Bar. 

MORTON. 98. 

JAMES. That's his advice. It would have ruined you in two 
minutes time. 

1=;. 



MORTON. Lake Erie jumps 5 points. 

JAJNIES. Tliere you aio ^Ir. Foiitievoy. 

ELIN. See what you would luive niadc tat her. 

MORTOX. Lake Erie S!). Advance 10 points. 

ALL. Ten points. 

MORLAND. (Aside) It's too lato for him now. 

JA^IES. Another jump like that, and I'll June enoutih t'oi- life. 

fiLlN". Oh, father, if you liad only seen it. 

FONT. I am afraid, my ciiild, I'm afraid. 

MORTON. Lake Erie drops two points. 

MORLAND. Protect two points. 

JMORLAND. Down she ^oos. 

JAMES. Not on your life! 

MORLAND. Lake Erie 184. 

JAMES. Sell. She's reached her limit, and down she goes. 

IMORLAND. Keep out of it Mr. Fontleroy. Ruin stares you in tlie 
face. That stock will drop. 

JA]\1ES. It is bound to rise. Now's the time. Good Heaven, 'Sir. 
Fontleroy, where is the liead you possessed years ago, when I was a mes- 
senger here? Listen to Morland Cranston, and j'ou are ruined. Buy the 
stock. She can't stay there. Stocks are bulled. Can't you see it ? Who- 
ever heard of Lake Erie being so low? The slump is but a manipulated one, 
and won't stay ten minutes. She's got to go up. The bears have got to 
imload. 

FONT. .lames, please remember your position. My C4od! I don't 
know what to do. 

MORLAND. Take my advice, let it alone! (Enter Walter.) 

^^'AL. Lake Erie dropped two points. James, I told you so, she's 
got to go up. (Enter Silas.) 

SI. Message for ]Mr. Fontleroy. 

FONT. (Reads) "Buy Lake Erie. Maxwell Gregg & Co." I'll buy 
it now. Broker 20,000 shares. (Throws bag on table.) Win or lose.) 
(Opens bag.) Elinor! ]\Iy God! you have been robbed. 

ALL (Rushing up.) Robbed! 

FONT. Yes, robbed. 

JAINIES. There must be some mistake. 

ELIN. That is the sack that contained it. It Avas theie an hour 
ago. Walter got it. 

WAL. Is it possible? 

MORLAND. Who was at the safe last? 

WAL. \A'hy I was there last. Can it be possible that — 

ELIN. Can't you explain. Think for God's sake, think! 

MORLAND. It's plain enough. Who else would know the combina- 
tion ? No one, but you ! 

i6. 



^^'AL. Ah. yos, I sec it now, I set- it now. All! -it w:is then when 
I told you that you lied, then my (Jod! I toigot to tniii the eoiiihination. 
I loft it open, you itMiu'mlKT .laiiu's, you wer there. I know it's you Mor- 
huid Cranston, it's you who robbed my sister. (S|>rin{;iny on to him.) T«ll 
mo wlioro tlio money is, or, by lloavon. I will strangle you. Cl'lioy i)ull 
Walter away.) The liouds, the stoeks, the pay roll! (Hi. my (lod! (jione! 
(«'one! Wouhl you dare brand mo as a tliiof'.' 

:\J()R1.AND. Thiol' that yon are, where is the bond that you aooidont- 
ly dropped in my presoiu'o, and then slio\od into your pockid, where is it 
1 say? 

WAT.,, ^'ou lie! Vou lie! ^'(n^ lie! 1 have no liond in my poeket. 
(Hastily jjulls papers from pocket.) Aly (!od! Heie is a bond. 

MORLANl). All! Who is the liar now? 

Ft^XT. (Takinjj bond.) ily son! My son! ((,)uiok) That bond 
is like the others. Oh, is it to-day, in the hour of my nun, that you rob 
your father and sister? And the pay roll! Clone, I can hour the fury of 
the strikers now, I can feel death clutching at my throat! 

MORLAXD. Yes. it is to-day that he betrays the trust of his old 
and stricken father, in this, the hour of the impending danger. 

ELIN. ]Morland Cranston, you lie! This is no concern of yours, 
oh, father, there is some mistake. (Rushes to father.) Oh, father! father! 
there is some mistake. 

FOXT. Theie is no mistake, my child, your brother has robbed us 
both! 

AVAL. I swear by the memory of my dead mother that I am 
innocent! 

FOXT. Leave my sight, and never dare to cross the threshold you 
have called "Home." 

ELIX. Oh! father, have mercy! 

FOX'T. I disown you. (\o mingle with the scum of the street. 
Sink down in the depths of crime. Xever darken my door again. Co! 
for (iod"s sake, go! 

WAL. Give me time to prove it for I swear that I am innocent. 

FOXT. Xot another word, lest the lie choke you, this is indeed a 
day of ruin and disgrace for the honored name of Fontleroy. 

ELIX. Oh! Father, father, hear me! 

FOX'T. (To Elinor.) Xot another word. (To Walter.) Go I tell 
you. leave my sight! 

WAL. I am going father, but you will live to see the day that you 
will regret not having given me the chance to prove my innocence and regret 
the day you branded one of your own a criminal! 

ELTN. Oh! Mj God! (Phe faints.) 

JAIMES. (Catches Elinor.) Stay where you are, Walter, face the 
accusation, and hand in hand and heart to heart, we'll run the thief to 



/• 



i-aitli! 

^[ORLAXD. And pniy whom do you think tlu' thid? 
.1A.M1*'S. A iiuin l)y tlie name of Cranston I 
PICTURE. 

cuiriAix. 

"SLAVE OF THE MILL." 
ACT II. 

SCKXE. — Full Stago. — Pickot feiioi' across staj^c. ^att' coiilcr, nuidcst hut 

jirotty C'ottajio. Exterior with porch, and steps up and down L. 

Porch posts are entwined with iuorninf>' {.dories. Set tree, R. of C. 

Garden bench under tree. Drop showin<i' mills in distance, rose 

bushes, and \illa<ies. Holly leaves, etc., along fence sun flowers, 

at corner of fence. R. etc., etc. At rise Kitty discovered, at gate 

looking off R., she has a broom, sweeps by gate. 

KITTY. 8i, come on, I've been waiting for you for nearly an hour. 
J lurry up! 

Si. lOutside.) Aw! I'm a hurryiu,. 

KITTY. Well if that's what you call hurrying, I'd like to have 
you bring me bad news, for it woidd never get here. Throw away tluit 
five cent novel, and come on. (Enter Si. R. reading book.) 

SI. This hain't none of them five cent novels, this is my guide to 
uuirriage. 

IvITTY". Y'our guide to what? 

SI. ^[y guide to marriage. It's a manual of arms. 

KITTY'. A manual of arms, what's that? 

SI. It tells you how to drill! 

KITTY. Nobody but a lunk head would need a book to tell them 
that, all you have to do is to get a crowbar, find a rock, and start in! 
(Illustrates with hands and broom, drilling motions.) 

SI. Oh, not that kind of drillin'! I mean, Solgers drillin", like this. 
(Si grabs broonie.) 

Tention! Right shoulder shift, ground arms. Left shoulder shift, 
etc. (As Si gives eomnumd. he makes every movement, wrong, and as 
awkwardly as possible, and all for comedy.) 

KITTY. (Lauglis at him.) Oh! my Si, but you'll make a fine 
soldier, you will; you looked like a hay wagon in a cyclone then! 

SI. It's all your fault if I did, cruel stony-hearted, girl that you 
aie, it's be a solger and a hero, or you won't have me and if I should fail 
winning your fail- hand in wedlock. I'd feel like ten cents worth of dog- 
meat. 

KITTY. And is that why you aie studying that book, so you will 
know how to be a soldier and a hero to win me? 

SI. To be, certainly it is, and I've studied and studied luitil I 
dream at nights of guns, cannuis, sv^'ords, sabres, bombs and things, and 

• i8. 



only last niylit I liad an awful dream ol a fierce battle, that I was in! 
KITTV. Oh, (lid yon? Tell me about It. Si; tell nic ab,int it. 

Si. Well there was a battery on a hill. Iliat was bch'hiir tortii 
tire and sendin' death and destruction into our raid<s. and try as we would 
we couldn't dislodj^e it. It got woose an' woose, and suddenly the general 
came gallopin' over to me on nis snortin' charger, ami he said to me. \\r 
said, Captain Doolittle! 

KITTY. (.'ai)tain Doolittle! (ill. was it that glorious, .uk! did you 
ha\"e on gold lace and brass buttons, and a sword'.' 

SI. (Scornfully.) To be certainly, J did. 

KITTV. Oh. Si! go on. go on! 

SI. The general saluted me. and said. Captain Doolittle, go tak<' 
that battery, so I saluted ami the general galloped off. I turm-d and 
looked at the battery, and it was woose than ever. Boom, booiu liz/.. 
bang! It was certain death to go toward it, but I called my men, drawed 
my sword, and — 

KITTY. Yes, Si, yes, and then, and then? 

SI. I run like Hell! 

KITTY. So you boldly confess your disloyalty to me? 

Sr. Dis nuthin' — I barely escaped with my life. 

KITTY. Escaped with your life, nothing, how absurdly you talk, 
you were never in danger, it v.'as only a dream. 

SI. Only a dream, when I bumped my noggin so hard against the 
wall nuiiiin' in my sleep, that I knocked the plasterin' off, look at this 
bump on my head, do you call that only a dream? 

KITTY. You'd better have kept j^our dreams to yourself, for I 
never c(nikl nmke up my mind to marry a coward, any way you could 
fix it. 

SI. Cowaid. n^e a cowaid: I'd like to know how you figure that out? 

K[TTY. How dare you deny it, after what you have just told me? 

SI. I do deny it most emphatically, and I can prove it. 

KITTY. I'd like to know how. 

SI. By quoting from Napoleon. 

KIITY. And what do you know of Xapoleon? 

SI. I know what he said after the battle of Bull Run. 

KITTY. And what was that? 

SI. "He who fights and runs away, will live to fight another day." 

KITTY. The great Napoleon said that? 

SI. To be certainlj^ he did. 

KI'TT^". Are you .sure, Silas? 

Si. To be certainly, I'm sure. 

KITTY. Ad right then Silas I forgive you, but where's the grocer- 
ies iiiss Elinor sent you for? 

ST. (Suddenly.) By jing, I got to readin' this book and practisin' 

19. 



iiiulci' tlu' big tioo out llicrc, and 1 plimih forgot! 

Kll"! ^'. Forgot (lid voii, well how would you feci if .Mr. Jaiuus 
forgot to give you your wages ru'xt Saturday uigiil '.' 

Sr. Kotten! 

KITTY. \\ ell then, don't give liiiii that kind of work, but cut right 
ou! and hustle to the store, for the things ,Miss Klinor wants. 

SI. All right Kitty, I'm gone. (Commands hiniKelf, and obeys 
awkwardly.) 'Tention! Riglit face! File by ones. ]>)uble (^uiek, for'd 
march! (Exits at gate C. and R. Sound of organ off L. Kitty runs lo 
gate. Looks L. Enter from cottage door L. 2 Iv little Mary.) 

MARY. (Runs to Kitty.) Oh! Kitty an organ, an oigan! 

KITTY. Yes dear and it's coming this way! 

31ARY. (Dances and claps jier hands.) Oli. I'm so glad. Cm so 
glad! (Music nearer, and enter L. back of fence Danzetta and Lano, 
playing organ Lano. \\'hen they reach gate music stops.) 

DANA, (('a/.ing wrajjtly at ]^Iarv.) ^^'llo ;ire you my cliild. wlio 
are yon? 

^lARY. 1 am Mary Fontieroy, and 1 was listening to the music. 
(Points to Lano.) ^Vhat^s the matter with the poor man can't he see? 

DAXA. Xo. no. he cann-a not-a see. He iss-a blind. 

;MARY. Blind, poor old man, isn't Ibiit too bad, run Kitty and 
look in my little bank, and you will find some pennies, I want to give 
them to the poor blind man. 

KITTY. Bless your little heart, and so I will! (Kitty exits cot- 
tage door. L. 2 E. Every second of tiie time Donazetta is gazing wraptly 
at Iviary.) 

]MARY. (Goes to Lano, Avho has set organ down, Mary takes his 
aanu. ) Come poor man. you must be tired, come and sit down. 

T w^ ■ Hy.) Datta voice, datta voice, itta sounds like-a 

de voice-a of-a de Danazetta, when-a she-a leettil-a babe. 

DAXA. (Clasping hands.) Do-a you tink-a so my-a Fadd. do-a 
you-a tink-a so? 

LAXO. De voice of-a de-a child tak-a me back to-a de Itallie! To-a 
de home of-a your-a childa hood. 

^lARY. Come on poor old man, come on and sit down. (Leads 
LanO to bench and seats him.) Xow then, wait right there until I come 
back, will you? 

LAXO. Se-se I will-a wait! 

MARY. Promi.«e n e? 

LAXO. Se- se- I promise-a yon. 

MARY. Cross your heart? 

LAXO. Se. I cross-a my heart a. (Does so.) 

MARY. All right, I won't be long! (Exits door cottage. Danazetta 
stands looking at door, hands clasped, as in a dream.) 

20. 



LAXO. Donazetta? 

DANA. Yes, yes! 

LANO. 1 getta vair old-a man, eli ! Donazetta? 

DANA. Yes, yes, vair old, vair old. (Abstractly looking at door.) 

LANO. C"oni-a here Donazetta! (Danazetta conies to iiiiu, kneels 
liy liini.) Wliy-a you no getta marry, Danazetta, I lik-a de lil ehild-a lik-a 
dat to-a com-a to me, atta de night, wlien-a I com-a honie. 

DAXA. -(Shrinks away.) I never dare tella lieem, lie kill-a me, so. 
(illustrates as though stabbing.) 

LAXO. (Turns, stares blindly.) Wliat-a you-a say, DonazetteV 

])ANA. (Constrained.) I-a say, 1 canna not leav-a you. 

LANO. You-a need-a not leav-a me. 1 can-a liv-a wid yon. 1 
gott-a some mon, de peop-a pity de blind. 

(Enter cottage door, ^lary canying glass of water.) 

]MARY. Here poor man, is a glass of water, you must be thirsty! 

LANO. (Takes it.) Grat-a giat-a. 

:\1ARY. ^^■hat did you say? 

LAXO. Thank you thank you. (He drinks.) 

MARY. Oh, you're welcome. 

(Takes glass, turns to Danazetta.) 

Do you want some too ? 

DANA. No. no, I no-a want soni, I no-a want nuttin'. (Truing 
aside.) I-a only want to die, to die. (She sobs. Enter cottage door, L. 
2, E. Kitty.) 

-vITTY. (To Mary.) Here's your little bank, dearie, my but I had 
a time finding it ! 

^lARY. (Takes toy bank.) Thank j'ou, Kitty excuse me for not 
telling you where it was. (Opens bank, empties it, holds out handful of 
pennies.) 

Here you are, poor man, all I have. 

LAXO. (Oesturing her away.) Orat-a, giat-a, I-a no want-a your 
pennies. 

MARY. Oh! Please take them! \] 

LAXO. Xo. no, I no-a want-a dem. 

MARY. All right then. (Mary looks at Donnazetta who is turned 
away, puts finger to mouth, silencing Kitty, tip toes over and puts pen- 
nies in Lano's pocket.) 

LAXO. (Rises.) Com' Donnazetta, we-a go, we-a go. 

DON. (Comes to Lano.) Se, se, Ave-a go. (Looking at Mary, 
Donnazetta leads Lano to gate, suddenly sobs, runs, kneels, kisses the 
hem of Mary's dress. Rises takes Lano's hand, who has lifted organ, 
and they exit off R. James and Elinor enter cottage door L. 2.) 

ELIN. Oh, here you are, Mary, auntie missed you. 

MARY. There was a poor blind man, here and a lady who cried 

21. 



iiiid i gave liiai my pomiies. 

ELIN. (I'ats Mary's licad and kisses iier.) And thai was li^lit, 
dear. (Lifts one of Mary's liands.) P>ul oh, my, what ilirty hands yon 
have, Kitty. 

KiTTV. Ves. Miss Elinor. 

ELIXOK. 'I'ake Mary in, and wash her hands. 

KITTY. Yes, Miss Elinor. Come Mary. 

.MARY. All right. (Xing with Kitty to steps of porch.) But if 
you'd been making mud pies in the back yard, you'd have dirty hands 
too. (Exit Kitty leading Mary cottage door J^. 2. K.) 

ELIX. (To James.) Must you go so soon, James? 

JAMP]S. (Laughs.) So soon, and pray Miss Stingy, do you call 
tliis soon, \\hy I should have been over to the mills long ago, and if you 
are going to keep me away so long every lunch hour, I shall have to take 
my luncheon in a basket, or bucket like the rest of the boys. Remember 
the new owners \\ho kept me over, after the sale, don't know me very 
well yet! 

ELIN. But there's a difference, dear, the rest of the boys are not 
just married and settled down, to their honeymoon in a, (Looks at it,) 
dear cozy delightful darling little cottage like or.rs. 

JAMES. And you like it Elinor, this our modest little home, you 
who have been surrounded all your life by luxury, are you satisfied here, 
as a working man's \\ife? 

ELIX. Y'ou ought to be whipped for asking me such a question. 
What was all the luxury, what were all the big rooms, and tapestried 
wall, without you in them, dear? 

JAMES. (Kisses her.) God bless you Elinor, C4od has indeed been 
good to me in giving me your priceless love, in giving me such a loyal wife. 

ELIX. And giving me the one man I loved in all the world, you 
speak of oxu' modest surroundings. Did not you spend every dollar you 
had in the world, that awfvd day to save my father from ruin? 

JA^MES. (Reprovingly.) Remember our bargain, you were never 
to mention that! 

ELIX. Poor father, it nearly killed him, when the mills were sold 
to strangers and, his fortune lost, besides his only son. 

JAMES. Poor Walter, I wonder Avhere the boy is ? I tried my 
best to comfort him, biit he would not stand it to have his own father 
think him a thief, and he took to drink, in which Morland Cranston aided 
him at every opportunity. 

ELIX. The very mention of that scoundrel's name chills me to 
the heart. I wonder where he is? 

JAMES. Nobody seems to know, in Europe like as not. I made 
it pretty warai for him, if you remember, and he skipped out. (Enter 
gate C. L. Gilbert Fontleroy haggard and v.orn. Silas enters C. R. with 

22. 



baskets and exits back of lioiise L.) (Heartily) How arc vou fatlicrY 
I'm so .^lad you liave called. (Molds out hand.) 

<I1L. (Stiffly) ildw are you, sir. (Rcfusiiifi- hand walks and sits 
oil bench, moodily.) 

1\L1N'. (To danics.) l<',\cusc iiim deal', I'm so sorry. 

-lA.MlvS. (Brightly. ) I don't mind it al ail. sweetheart. He'll 
come around some day. he hasn't ijotten over our maniage yet. By-ble, 
dear, 1 am late. I'll leave yt)u toyetlier. (Kisses Klin. To (Jiliicrt.) WC 
.should be glad to have you to supper, sir, if you will stay. (Waits for 
answer, gets none, smiles at Elinoi', throws her a kiss, exits C. R,. ) 

ELIX. (Coming down.) Father, 1 think your conduct beastly, and 
in no ^\•ay becoming a gentleman. 

(ilk. (Rising.) Indeed, then 1 presume 1 am to pattern my dcpoit- 
nient after your blue blooded (Sarcastically) working man husband, am 1 r 

El. IX. If you desire to be a gentleman, and a noble man, yes! 

liIL. (Sneers.) A nobleman in overalls, and a jiunper. Fine trap- 
pings for the nobility. 

]<"UX. His ^\•orking clothes are a badge of honor, which sho\\ s that 
he labors for \\hat he gets instead of breaking hearts and homes on ^^'all 
street as you were doing when you met your ruin! 

(HL. That's it, that's it, throw my poverty into my face! 

ELIX. I am doing nothing of the kind, in your greed for gold, 
yiui were willing to sell me, body and soul to an adventurer and a thief; 
I have the man I love better than my life, he is my husband, mine I tell 
you, until death do us part, and you even though you are my father, shall 
not stand there and villify him! 

CHL. You dare! 

ELIX. Yes, I dare, I dare defend my husband against j'ou, and 
all the world. (Enter gate C. L. dissipated, broken and half drunk, Wal- 
ter.) 

(ilL. And this is my repayment, for the luxury, I afforded you 
all your life. A fine pair of children I have to be sui'e, one a daughter 
who turns apostate for her insane love of a low Avorking fellow, and the 
other a son, a son, and a thief. 

^^'AL. (Coming down.) You lie, I tell you, you lie! 

ELIX. Walter, Walter, my brother, at last. 

(^iorland cntei-s C. L., stands listening.) 

WAL. Don't touch me, Xell; don't touch me. I'm not worth}', I'\e 
lieen kicked and cuffed, and cursed, until I'm not fit to be touched by your 
hands. I am an outcast, a Parish, an evil thing, I am that honest boy, 
branded a thief by the lips of my o\vn father! (Points to Gil.) 

GIL. And rightfully so, for as God is to judge me, I believe you 
slole that money. 

V\'AL. Be careful what jou say, I have suffered the tortiu-es of 

23. 



llir ,l,iiiiiH(l. U'V VDiT iia\iii<^' siiid it oiico, and some clay wlicii I am mad 
with li.|iitti-, yiui will say it oiu-c loo ot'tcii, and I will kill y<iii lor ill 
I.Monland smiles, ixils ( '. II.) 

I'll. IN. I'rollicr, Walter, wltat are you saying''.' 

WAL. (Sohs.) Oh! I (luifl know Nell; I am nearly mad from 
drink, drink t.liat 1 liavt taken to drown my sorrows, and to kill tlie jiain 
at my broken heart. Oh! God. 1 wish that T were dead. (Sinks on bencli.i 

C41L. And it's a jiity you are not. I'd sooner bury with my own 
liands. tl'.an to have found in you a thief, and to see \ on as you are. It 
would be a (iotl's mci'ey if you were to die tonight. 

W'.VL. (ilises fiisreely.) Ibit I won't, 1 tell you, 1 won't, I'm goinn 
to live, until 1 prove to you -ny innocenee, and then I care not if I die 
the next moment. (Starts for gate.) 

Kl.lX. \^'alter, brother, where are you going? 

WAL. Oh, 1 don't know, and I don't eare; somewhere, anywhei'e 
that 1 ean hide away from the sound of that awful word, thief, thief, 
thief: it rings in my ears all day long, and 1 ilreaid of it at night, 1 hear 
that horrid souiu! in the voice of my fathei'. thief, thief, thief! 

!<]L1X. Come back, brother, don't go away again, this is my home, 
conu^ back and li^"e with nie. 

WAL. Xo, no, 1 tell you I'm going to go away, away and try to 
foiget, forget. (Sobs and exit.s C. II.) 

(41L. (Sinks on bench.) And this, this is the end, the end of my 
shattered life. (Breaks.) 

ELIX'. (To him caressingly.) Don't feel badly father, there, I 
forgive Vou about James; Walter will come back some day, and some 
day you will know he is innocent; I have prayed the Heavenly Father 
tl'.at it may be so, and I have faith, that He will hear and answer. Come 
in dear, won't you, come in and lie down a while! 

CIL. Xo. no, leave me alone please, I wish to be alone! 

ELIX". ^'ery well father, think it all over, and trj' to think kindl\' 
of my husband. Try to think who saved your life at the risk of his own, 
from that howling mob, that awful daj', and who loaned you every penny 
he had in the world. 

(ilL. Leave me, pray leave me alone. (Enter C. R. ]\Iorland, he 
listens.) 

ELIX. Very well, I hope you will feel better; I'm going out the 
back way to visit a sick iieighbor, and take ^lary and Kitty with some 
dainties, shall yon wait until I return? 

GIL. Yes, yes, leave me. 

FAJN. (Lightly.) All right, father; think it over and try to stay 
to supper with us, and I'll make yoti a famous cup of coffee. 

(Smiles and exits cottage door, L. 2. E.) (Gilbert's head sinks to 
his hands, ilorland looks both ways and quietly enters gate C. R. and 

24. 



(•niiii's ('.) 

MOKL.Wl). (To (;il.) (,iiii1c an iiitcicsl ini^ litllr laiiiily iliscus- 
sidii, my dear I'^oiit Kmon . 

(ilL. (IJisinjjf aiijiiily.) So you lioiiiid, you have siicaki-d from your 
(lislu)ni^st kcunel and come into tlio liglit of day, to wliinc and bark at all 
wlio pass, have you? 

.MORT.AXD. (Cooly.l W'liy. my dear I'oiit Icioy. I was novcr so 
surprised in all my lite, tliis from you to me, wlio nc\cr liaiiucd you in 
a single tiling? 

OIL. You lie. you lliiff! 

AIOVll.AXn. (r.ctwi'cn tootli.) Bo ean-ful. be careful, what you say. 

(JIL. I am wciiihiug overy syllable, sir: 1 have never even ac- 
knowledged it Vo my eliildr'Mi, but the experts who Avent over our books 
after ycMi had disajipearcd. found t'lat you had robbeil nic of tliousiinds, 
tiu)usauds — and again. 1 call you a thief. 

MOIll-XXn. And suppose for the sake of argunu^nt you are riglit. 
jtray w'.uit are you going to do about it? 

(!IL. (Starts for gate.) Call the first officer I can see, have you 
arrested and s(>n1 to prison, wlieie yon belong! 

MORI.AXD. Go right along sir, you've got to prove v.hat you say. 
(^lorland steps aside. Enter C. R. Donnazetta she watches.) 

<ilT>. And I can prove it. you Judas: the books themselves tell the 
story. ((iilbert is about to cross ^lorland, when ^lorland throttles him, 
and pulling a knife stabs him to the heart, .Morland drops knife, places 
his hand o\ev his month, holds him up, whirls him slowly around and 
sets him on bench, propped up against tree. Exit C. R. Donnazetta, Mor- 
!-:.(' looks all about, pulls handkerchief, vcipes off his hands. Picks up 
knife, looks at it. places it stage C. walks to gate, looks up and down, 
returns, picks up knife, goes sits by Gilbert's body, takes out penknife, 
begins to carve on handle of knife, looks at Gilbert, takes his handker- 
chief and liangs it so as to cover Gilbert's face. Resumes carving cooly, 
shuts knife, puts it in his pocket, looks at big knife, critically.) 

.MORLAXD. (Looks out R. 2. E.) Stay where you are. Steel: keep 
watch and warn me if anyone ccmes. (Looks at knife.) 

XA'. F. — "\^'. F. \X'alter Fontleroy, a splendid calling card, after his 
threat in her ]iresence, to kill liis father. (Lays knife stage C, goes to 
gate, looks R. Runs and exits R. 2. E. Enter James C. R.) 

JAMES. (At gate.) I wonder where Elinor is, the idea of my 
going to the juills and forgetting the key to my tool box, won't she 
laugh at me. when T get in there! (He does not notice Gilbert, laughs, 
and exits cottage door L. 2. E. Enter staggering C. R. Walter, he stag- 
gers C. sees Gilbert.) 

X^'AL. He's asleep, poor old dad, asleep, see here dad. I'm sorry 
T am. that I talked the way I did a while ago; I was thinking it all over, 

25- 



down tht'ie ami 1 was mad, lail tlun I tlum-^lit of luotlici-. and liow \()ii 
used to bring- lis, Nell and me, cur Christmas toys, and I tuiucd around 
and came bacl<, I'll own up dail. 1 stopped and liad a i'oui)lc of <lriiiks. 
l)ul I'm going to stay here witli Xell, and straighten up, honest I will 
this time, no foolin' — foigi\e me, dad, won't you? 

(Stands waving unsteadily back and forth looking at (.illx-rt.) Come 
on now, you've g(/t to forgive me anyway, eonie on, we'll go in the iiousi! 
and tell Nell. lEnter door cotiage L. 2. .lames and Kiinor. Walter irrab?, 
Gilbert, lifts him, turns C. and both fall, Walter on toj). loiter R. 2. K. 
^lorland with officer.) 

ELIX. \\'a]ter, A\alte)-. what is wrong, and what's vlie matter with 
father? (Walter only stares dumbly at (iilbert.) (Enter C. R. and listens 
Doiinazetta.) 

MORLAND. (Lifting hat.) liu very sorry to tell y<ui that your 
brother jn.st stabbed liini to death. 

JA.MES. :\Iorlaiid Cranston, you lie! 

MORLAXD. Wliy see, officer, there lies the knife with wliich the 
deed was done. (Picks it up.) See here, are the initials on the handle, 
W. F. ^Valter Fontleroy, and his sister heard him threaten his father's 
life today. Ask her if that is the truth? 

OFFICER. (Props.) Is this true mam? 

Elinar cobs and falls into James' arms. 

^lORELAX'D. Uo j'our duty, ofll'icer and arrest the murderer! 

(Officer places hand on Walter's shoulder, who is still staring at 
Gilbert.) 

•TAMES. I'd stake my sotil, ofli'icer, that j'ou've got the wrtnig 
num. you'd better take him! (Points at ^dorland.) 

,MORLAXD. (Points to ^^'alker.) Xo, he is the guilty man, I'll 
swear I saw him do it. (Officer placing hand back on Walter, enters 
cottage door ]Marv, and stands looking.) 

OFFICER. You'll have to come with me! 

WAL. (Suddenly breaks.) Father, my poor old father, and lie's 
dead, he's dead. (Sobs. Lis head sinks to Gilbert's breast. Morland starts 
for gate, meets face to face Donnazetta who has entered, Donnazetta looks 
at him. crosses herself with sign of the cross, sinks to knees.) 

DUX. And-a diss is-a de fadder of my child! 

PICTURE. 

CURTAIX. 

"A SLAVE OF THE MILL." 

ACT III. 

SCENE I. — Exterior of mill at night. Drop in one showing buildings and 

tall stacks. Smoke and flames issuing from them, etc. 

Enter Kitty R. 1. E.. followed by Si; Si is covered almost entirely 

with great coat. Kitty carries lunch basket. 

26. 



KITTY. Now thcii. Si; w liafs your rtocret? 

SI. \A'ell can't you wait a minute 'till I t-ateh nio breath? 

KIT'J'V. J)on"t you know liotter tlian to ask a woman to wait after 
you liavi' mentioned tlie telliny of a secret to her'.' (!o on. Si. Tell me 
what it is; that's a good hoy — what is it? 

SI. (.Mysteriou.sly.) Oh! I've proved it. I've i)ro\ed il ! ! 

KITTY. Proved what, Si? 

SI. Proved my love for you, Kitty. (Struts proudly.) I've gone 
and doni' it, Kitty. I've gone and done it! ! 

KTI'TY. (ione and done what, Si — are you going to tell me or do 
you want me to stand here and drop dead with curiosity? 

SI. Guess what it is? 

KPl'TY. See here. Si Doolittle. 1 \\'ouUln't marry you if you were 
crusted with diamonds and made of solid gold. You"ve got a streak of 
cruelty in you that woidd make any woman's life who was fool enough 
to marry you a living hell. So keep your old secret and attend strictly 
to your own l)usiness and I'll attend to mine! ! 

SI. (Loftily.) Oh! You don't mean that, not a word of it. 
(Struts.) I ha\e been too lovtil — too gallant — I'vo gone and don? it i.nd 
I have >'ou cinched. Kitty — you are now and henceforth my very own 
kitten! ! 

KITTY. (Grabs Si, shakes him.) Yes, and a kitten who will 
scratch your eyes out if you don'^t tell me this instant what you mean — 
we women — can stand almost anything, but in this case patience has 
ceased to be a virtue and you'll tell me or I'll shake you until your teeth 
fall out! ! (Shakes him.) 

SI. Let me loose. Kitty, let me loose and I'll tell you. 

IvlTTY. (Loosens him.) Well, what is it? What is it? 

SI. (Strikes pose.) Kitty, I've joined the army! ! 

KITTY. (Admiringly.) Si — you don't mean it. 

SI. (Loftily.) Oil! But I do! ! 

KITTY. Joined tlie army — for love of nie. 

SI. That's just wliat. Kitty, that's just what. 

KITTY. (Delighted.) Oh! Silas. How noble— how— loyal— how 
perfectly lovely you are — now that's something like — and \\hen do yon 
get your uniform? 

SI. (Posing.) Ciot it on now, underneath this coat. 

KITTY. (Drawing in breath .idmii i?igly.) Xo! You don't mean 
it. Si? 

SI. (Loftily.) Oh, but I do. 

KITTY. Do you really? 

KITTY. And — and nmy I see it? 

SI. To be certainly I do. 

SI. I su])pose you're satisfied now that I love you. 



KlTTi. ilaj' be so — I won't Idl you until I sec youi- uiiirdiin. 

SI. (Loftily.) You'd liave nouo hui :i brave nuui Kitty- is that 
li.ylit ■.' 

K['^'i'^". (Vitainly it's rij^'iit, if a girl can't jiick tlic kind nf a man 
slic wants for a luisband. sjie's in a bad fix indeed. 

Si. Could a man do nuirc tu eouvince a woiuau tlian to join tlic 
army '.' 

Kl'ITV. Not mucli Si. 

SI. WVil, I yuess not much — think of the risk a man runs — nuiy be 
have to go right up and face the cannon's mouth or fight hand to hand 
Mith swords or face to face with the enemy — and use tlu' butt of his mus- 
ket to save his life at short range — 
range — 

KITTY. That's so Si and you have done all of this for me? 

SI. To be certainly — I liave — I'm not afraid. 

KITTY. ]^)Ut tlie uniform, Si dear. I'm just dying to see it. 

SI. \\o\l turn your back and I will show it to you — Init wait until 
] cou.iit tliree before you look — 1 don"t want to shock you too suddent — 
you know. 

KITTY. All right Si, but hurry. 

Sr. Xow wait!! (Reaches under coat and slaps on a cap whips off 
coat.) One — two — three — look!! (Si stands in full uniform of Salvation 
army. Si. poses.) (Kitty holds her sides and shrieks with laughter.) 
\\'hat you gigglin' at? 

KITTY. (Pretends to cry) I'm not giggling — I — I — I'm crying. 

SI. ^^'ell what you cryin' about ? 

KrrTY. (Sniffling) Oh! The dangers — those awful — awful dan- 
gers you will have to face — those cannons. The fierce enemy — the clubbed 
muskets — (laughs holding her sides) In the Salvation Army. 

SI. And don't yon love me? Hain't you goin' to marry me? 

KrrTY. Xo sir. I told you a while ago that I wouldn't marry you, 
if you wei'e gold — and I won't. 

SI. But I'm not gold Kitty. 

KITTY. Oh yes you are. You're a gold brick!! 

SI. A gold brick? 

KITTY. Yes, but don't you take me for a hay seed — th.ere's noth- 
ing doing Si. 'Jliere's nothing doing. (Scornfully) Joined the army, in- 
deed — go back to the army — shoulder arms, pick up your tambourine or 
your base drum, and charge!! Silas charge!! (Laughs and exits L.I.E.) 

SI. Kitt^', Kitty come back, come back! ! Don't leave me here alone 
in the dark! ! (Runs and exits L. L E. calling) Kitty! ! Kitty! ! (Lntil lost 
in the distance) Enter R. I. L. Morland fillowed by Donna^etta.) 

^lOR. I won't have it Donnazetta, you may as well know it once 
for all, I will not have you following me about like a spy. 

28. 



DON. Is-a itta a wronj^- for-a wife to follow -a hrr Imsliaiid Mor- 
]an — you-a proniise-a iiic to conic — but you iicNcr-a do-a datt Morlan. 
You-a never-a come!! 

MOR. Donriazetta you uuist luulcistand tliat 1 lia\c otlicr things 
to do than to dance attendance upon you. 

J)OX. l?ut-a you never-a com — Moilan — you never-a com. 

.MOR. Oh! For Heavens sake don't whine, don't wiiine— ^it annoys 
me! 

I)()X. I5utta I love-a you Morhuid — you-a are-a de fadder of my-a 
diild. 

MOR. (Crossly) Oh! 1 know that without heinji' reminded of it 
every moment in the day. 

DOX. Denna why don't-a you letta me tell-a my Fadd: you will-a 
do dat Morlan? 

MOR. Xo I'll not "letta" you do anything of the kind, and youM 
Letter not tell him anything about us, unless you want him to kill you!! 

DOX. My-a Fadd he no-a kill me for-a datt I marry you. 

MOR. You might as well know it now as any other time, yon are 
not my wife and never were. 

DOX. Xotta your wife-a Morlan. ^Vhy-a you joke — de good-a 
Priest in-a de Itallie — 

^lOR. Was a friend of mine disguised — we were never married. 
1 tell you so, now cease annoying me. Go your way hereafter and I will 
go mine. (Don stands staring at Mor like a stricken soul but utters no 
soiuid.) Well!! AVhat are you staving at? Don't be a fool — but go away 
and don't annoy me — I have business to attend to. (He starts for L.l E.) 

DOX". :\[orlan! Morlan 

^lOR. (Stops) Don't annoy me I say I'm done with you forever — 
so he gone!! (Starts L) 

DOX. Wait IMorlan Cranston — you-a are walk — to your death. 

MOR. (Tmns quickly) What's that? 

DOX. I-a see-a you kill-a de old-a man!! 

MOR. (Between his teeth.) What did you say? 

DOX. I-a see-a you kill-a de old-a man!! Den — cutta de knife — 
De-a name — on-a de knife — (Pleading) Y"ou not-a leave-a me lik-a datt 
IMorlan. You-a not-a leav-a de Donnazetta — for-a datt her heart-a shall 
break!! — I-a no-a tell-a anyone — I-a no-a tell — you-a de Fadder of-a my 
child. 

^lOR. Forgive me Donnazetta for l>eing cross a while back. I have 
i^njjortant business on hand to-night and take my word for it dear — 
trust me just one more time and I will come to you Donnazetta — keep my 
secret and I'll marry you fa'ir and square — will yo do it? 

DOX. De-a woman she-a die for-a de man — she-a love Morlan. 
MOR. Then go back liome and leave me for tonight. I will do 

29. 



rii;lit 1>\- villi and if I ddu'l ymi may '^n in the |P(ilici' and tell lliciii all 
you know, see Dnimazi'tta yoi" Imld my life in your kfcpinji-,, so you can 
trust inc. 

I)()X. I-a j;-o .Moilan. 1-a j;<) and-a wait 1-a wait for-a you, for-a 
you, foi-a dc man 1-a love!! (Kxit Don IJ. 1. E.) 

MOK. ( kooks al'lcr lici) So my Italian beauty — I was walking' 
to my death was 1 — and you are walking- to yours — go right along loving 
ine — my (h'arest and one of these nights your dead body will l)e found 
floating in the ri\-er, you and your brat together — for if you do not kiinw 
th.at Mary adopted by Elinor Brandon and our precious daughter are one 
and the same I do and so would you if you only had sense enough to go 
to tlie Little Sisters of the Poor and find out — go on loving me I say — 
and your precious love will be the death of you. (Dog howl in distance 
L. Enter L.l E. Steel. He looks behind him fearfully and is frightened. 
Steel is doubled by (iilbert.) Well here you are — and what's the matter 
with you? You're trembling like a leaf. 

STEEL. There's no use talkin' pard — 'we'd better call to-night's 
work oft' and that's all there is to it. 

MOR. Call it oflf after we have it all planned out and why? 

STEEL. Didn't you here that dog howl out theve just now ? 

iJOR. jNIorgan Steel you are a superstitious ass — and that's all 
there is to it ! ! 

STEEL. WeW mebbe I am and mebbe I'm not, but I tell yoTi I 
believe in signs 

MOR. What signs? 

STEEL. Plenty of them. I passed a oros^-eyed nigger down by 
the railroad track and that in itself is enough to Hoodoo a man for a 
month, let alone the rest. 

:\IOR. What rest ? 

STEETj. I was blocked by a frieghtHrain dowu at th.e orossin' and 
when it sto])])ed the number of the car opposite me Xo. 13,1L3 was staring 
me in the face. 

MOR. Well, Avhat of it? 

STEEL. A howling dog — a cross eyed nigger and L3.n3 all in one 
night and you've got the nerve to stand up there and ask me what of it. 
I tell you Cranston we'd lietter call the deal off for to-night or we'll get 
the worst of it just as sure as fate! 

^lOR. See here Steel Lin l)eginning to think you'ie a coward a 
d d sneaking coward. 

STh]El . (Fiercely) Who says Pm a coward, don't you do it — or 
I'll sliow you (unck! 

3iI()R. Well let it go at that — but listen a moment to me — 

STEEL. Well go on ! ! 

!MOR. We stand here this minute with long teiMS in prison ftaiing 

30- 



US ill tlic face — as I am .niiilly ol' wi-ll nvc IhiHi kimw m' wliai vr '.re 
uuilty. Jim Brandon has dovotod every si)are nioiiieiil tn daciiiL; mir 
erinies to us — is that correct? 

STEEL, ^■(•u know it is why asl< iiUc inicst ions? 
M()]\. He is onr hitter ini|i!acahl(' cnciiiy and will ii;'\c ■ ^<''\) until 
he lias us laiHh'(L 

STEEL. Well? 

;\I()R. i'.y tlie hest of luck he has liceii )>laciMl at ih- licad nf tlh' 
iiii^ht shit't — and at a certain hour — is virtually ahme in the mills i(ii w ,i"U 
the rest of tlie men take their niidni<^ht lunch and ^o to Sasey's saloon to 
eat it and take their lialf hour off he will not leave the j)hint. 

STEEL, ^^'ell. 1 know all of that,— tell me sonietliin^' new. 
^lOR. I sini]dy wanted to remind you — that these l)ei.ii>- tli-^ lac's — 
■we can put him out of the way — and make it apjiear as an accident. 
STEEL. An accident how ? 

]\JOR. 'S'ou know that they are to have a run of piii iron to-ni^'ir. 
STEEL. \\\A\ ? 

]\[0R. "Wliat is easier than for you to refuse to ,i;'o to ^'luch-me 
to disguise as one of the men, knock liim in the head and by o]:iening the 
cnpohi. door — let the melted iron run over his cursed body and \ry liim to 
death: we escape — the other men return and he is found accidentally dead! 
STEEL. Accidentally? Oh! That's different — Fade away — Mov.iing 
dog — back to the woods, cross eyed nigger — to the Round House fo<- ^nui' 
car 13.113. T am your mutton Mister Cranston — will you join me in a 
snifter before you don your working chitlies? 
]MOR. Tlumk you, I don't caie if I do. 

STEEL. Tlien come I'ight along and we'll sample Casey's best! 
^ilOR. Thank you ^Morgan, you are very kind. ( Exif Mor. and 
Steel t. 1 ]•:.) (DARK CHANCE.) 

S( EXE 2: — Fly the drop in one. Lights up and discover intbrior of foun- 
dry thus: Boxed — Large double doors at R. 2 E. small half nzed 
— as to height door at L. 3*E. up stage C. a cupola — large made to 
imitate iron 'and riveted on top of this laige red glow show n and 
effect as of heat assisted by stereoptican to produce effect as though 
cupola was open at top and filled with boiling iro^i — Lai'ge firebox 
under cupola to contain glow as if containing fire-^^about six inches 
im bottom of cupola an oval door with latch as to o])en and dis- 
charge the melted iron — almost black floor cloth on stage and some 
piles of moulders' sand shovels model frames etc. Men in red flan- 
nel shirts, overalls, etc. — all busy working at rise, James A\it]i them 
as foremaa. The scene is semi-dark and there are frequent flashes 
of fire from top of cupola and at fire box 'when opened and furnaces 
left.. Flat entire left re])resents two immense furnaces with large 
riveted iion doors to open and show glows of heat. An original 

.31- 



scene to the stage so far as tlic recollection of the writer goes. 

At change enter Si and Kitty. Double doors R. 2 E. 

SI. Say not so Kitty my Kit — I mean my Cat. 

KITTY. How dare you call nie a cat. Now tliat does settle it. 

SI. I didn't mean it Katty, I mean Kit — Kitty. I mean Katty — 
(ill! you've got uu- so lattk'd that 1 don't know my own iiainc, let aloiif 
yours. 

KITTY. Don't you ever speak to nie again Silas Doolittlo. go hack 
to the Salvation Army and save your life, for if you botluT me any more 
I'll scratch you to death, me a oat indeed. 

.JAMES. (Who lias been working, comes lo tiicm.) How, here 
wliat's tliis all about? 

(Togetlier) KITTY. A\'liy he— 
SI. Why she— 

(Together) KITTY. Why Si— 
SI. Why Kitty— 

•TAMES. (Laughs) Here, here one at a time — now Kitty you tell 
nu\ 

KITTY'. There's nothing to tell — I'm forever done with him 
that's all. 

SI. Hear tluit Mister Brandon — I am doomed. 

KITTY. (Handing lunch basket to .James) Here's your luncli ]\!r. 
]?randon and I'm going back home. 

JAMES. Had Mrs. Brandon returned before you left Kitty? 

KITTY. Xo sir, not yet!! 

SI. (To Kitty) Kitty, can't I see jou home? 

KITTY. Xo sir ! The idea of wanting to see me home and all vour 
enemies to see you in full uniform and to begin firing those muskets, can- 
nons, batteries and dynamite bombs at you — expose my life by being seen 
with so brave a soldier as you are, well I guess not!! (Laughs, and ex- 
its doidde doors R. 2 E.) 

SI. Oh! Kitty. Kitty don't leave me behind with a bubbling blister- 
ing breaking heart. Wait Kitty, Wait!! (Exits double doors R. 2 E. 
•lames looks after them and laughs.) 

•TAAIES. Poor Silas, your course of true love is rough indeed. 
(Workmen every now and then open doors a nd show glows and shovel 
coal etc. etc. Enter doors R. 2 E. Elinor and Mary, Elinor in mourning.) 
Elinor my wife, what are you doing here? 

ELIXOR. Our train was late dear — and as it was on the way home 
I thought I'd drop in to see you for a few moments. I could not wait 
to see you, my lieart is full to bin-sting. (Sobs.) 

.TA]\IES. (Embraces her) Yes! Yes! Sweetheart I know — I know, 
and how was he, hoM- was Walter? 

ELIXOR. Hopeless, hopeless, .James, hopeless and heartbroken, the 

32. 



^^ 



lawyer you engiigvd to (lofoiul liiui cullctl to x'c liiin to-day and told him 
it was only fair to warn him tiiat lie was in a dangerous fix and to prc- 
l)are for the worst, that he felt certain that he must be convicted. 

.lA.MES. Poor Walter, poor hoy, it is indeed awful and altliough 
I have devoted every s])are moment to trying to discover the slightest clue 
to his innocence 1 have failed, ignominiuosly failed. 

KLINOR. And I am helpless, helpless. I asked the lawyer to-day 
and he told me that as the District Attorney had subpoenaed me that I 
would be compelled to testify under oath that I heard Walter threaten to 
kill Father, think of it .lanu>s tliink of it my (lod isn't it awful tliat I 
must help to swear away the life of my only brother? 1 sliall go mad. 
1 know 1 shall. 

.1A1ME8. You must not go on like that Eliuoi', you will bring your- 
self to illness. Be brave little wife be brave, I had a praying mother, Eli- 
nor, an old fashioned mother who is resting now on the very steps of God's 
big white throne, she prayed and believed, and I have been praying and 
believing, that Almighty God in his mercy would make me the means of 
])roving Walter innocent, and I believe He's going to do it. (^lary who 
has been wandering around looking at the men work comes down.) 

^lARY. Oh! Uncle Jim, Uncle Jim, Auntie took me to see Uncle 
\\'alter and he's in a big cage — what is he there for Uncle Jim ? 

JAMES. There — there dear — )-un along and look at the men at 
their work! ! 

^lARY. ^-id right. Uncle Jim. (Goes and in childish chant s\\ing- 
ing her arms) Funny Uncle Walter locked in a cage. Funny Uncle Wal- 
ter locked in a c a. g e. (Wanders about.) 

ELIXOR. I cannot, cannot stand it James to testify against my 
brother, oh, what shall I do, what shall I do? 

JA!MES. (Eooks about) Listen Elinor before you shall undergo 
such an ordeal I shall send you secretly away somewhere. 

ELIXOR. But isn't that against the law dear, since I have been 
subpoenaed. 

JA^NIES. Yes it is against the law, but what is all the law in the 
Morld compared to your life and I believe it would kill you to go on the 
stand and helj) niindev A'om' bi'other!! 
ELINOR. :\hnder him? 

JAMES. Yes, murder him, I tell you the execution of men and 
women by the law is murder, cold blooded deliberate murder — the human 
being who kills his fellow man does it in anger or nine times out of ten 
wiien maddened by whiskey, he at least has the excuse of temporary in- 
sanity, but the stern, cruel Judge — that Human Hyena of a District At- 
torney who works coldly, deliberately and ceaselessly to condemn the pris- 
oner, those twelve men who constitute a jury, when they conspire under 
tile guise of that thing called law to condemn a fellow human, and do it 

33- 

La*:, 



(Icliliciatcly. tlicy are. imivderers, cold 1)1ii()(1imI. di'lilicralc iiuirdevfrs, and if 
tluM-i- is a hell they will <^o to it ami he the I'iist to iiicct the victim 
they have sent on before tlicni. 
ELIXOK. .lames, .lames! ! 

.lAMKS. I lell yon I am ri,L;iil i'^linor. (Jod alone can '/\\c life 
and (iod alone lias a ri-lit to lake it away!! If yon want to iinni-li a 
nnin for takiiiii' linman life, lock him np nntil he dies- and there he can 
do no fnither harm. 

ELINOR. ]?ut they won't do that witli ^^'alter, hnsband. they will 
send him to that awfnl, awful chair and strap him in and kill him— the.x' 
will kill him. I tell yon they will kill my my hrother!! 

.1AME8. Elinor!! Elinor!! i cannot allow .N'on to ^o on like this, 
stop it. stop instantly. (Embraces her) There, there dear heart. Be 
calm. 1)0 calm, for before Walter shall die such a death I will i^ct him 
the means to cheat them. 

ELINOR. But why must he die at all. He is innocent 1 tell yon, 
he is innocent I know it. I can feel it here in m.v poor breaking heart. 
( f^obs. ) 

.TAMES. There, there Elinor, don't despair, don't despair — some- 
way or other I have hope, I have hope that all will be well, come Elinor 
let nie take yon part of the way home — I cannot go all of the way — so 
take this dear, so that if anyone molests yon, you can defend yourself. 
(Hands her a pistol.) Come dear out the little door, we'll take the short 
cut. Hurry home dear and take a quieting powder, there are some of 
those the doctor prescribed left. And lie down and rest yourself. 
ELINOR. Yes, yes, I am tired, very very tired. 
JAMES. Come Mary, we're going home. 

]NLARY. All right Uncle Jim — and Avhen is Uncle Walter coming — 
do .vou know ? 

.JA]MES. Some day Mary — some day. (They are at small door L. 
3 E.) 

ELINOR. And pray Heaven you are right, mj^ husband, and that 
Walter will come home — some day, some day — for if he does not. 1 am 
afraid that I'll go with him!! (Exit Elinor, Mary and James small door 
L. 3 E. Enter doors R. 2 E. Mor. and Steel, Mor disguised as workingnian.) 
MOR. There they go, it's nearly midnight the men will knock off 
in a minute for their half hour and then's our chance — He's only going 
])art of the way, I stood out there near the door and heard him say so. 

STEEL. Say Pardner hain't dere no odder wa,j. I chucked 13 with 
the dice down there twice hand runnin'. 

MOR. No. there's no other sure way, haven't I told you that Don- 
nazetta saw me do it and that that kid is hers and mine and that Elinor 
Brandon has raised her and cared for her, and if Donnazetta ever learns 
the truth about the kid she'd give me away out of gratitude to them to 

34- 



a certainty. A woniau's love for lier husl)aii(l is one tliiii.L;-, but a iiuitli 
er's love for her child is quite another — Jim lirandoii will hotiiul us to the 
chair if he lives, and once dead, I'll soon brin<>- Elinor to Icnns. 1 liavcnt 
yivcii up in that direction yet. So you see there's no other way. (Whist It- 
blows out K. Men drop tools and all exit doors R. 2 K.) (Jet up IIutc 
each of us on one side of tlie door — ^and the niouu'ut he enters knock 
him senseless and then — 

JAMES. (Out small door) All right, Ikannigan, I'll attend to it! 
(Mor and Steel run, one gets one side of small door tiie other on the otlu'r 
side. James enters small door L. 3 E. Steel strikes him over the head, 
James staggers turns.) Morland Ci'anston — (Mor hits him on head, so 
does Steel. James groans and falls.) 

MOR. (Laughs) Well done Steel, now then lunry before any of 
them return — ^lielp me carry him over to the cupola. (Steel draws knife 
raises it over James.) 

STEEL, ^\•hy not settle him with this, it's quicker!! 
MOR. No! No! You fool do as I tell you, I want it to appear an 
accident. 

STEEL. Oh, all right, but hurry, someone might come. (^lor 

bending taking James' head and shoulders) 

MOR. Come on make haste. (Steel takes James' feet and legs and 
they carry him and lay him in front of the cupola.) That's it, now to 
open this door — and the melted iron will cook him to a cinder. He came 
here to open the door, accidentally slipped aud fell and met his death, too 
bad wasn't it Steel. He was such a nice fellow. (Laughs.) (Puts hand 
to latch of door.) Now then Jim Brandon yovu' time has come!! 
(Mor is about to open the door, enter small door L. 3 E. Elinor, she lev- 
els pi.stol on Morland and Steel.) 

EL. Move a muscle either one of you and I'll kill you where you 
stand!!! (Steel starts for Elinor. Enter door L. 3 E. Si and Kitty, they 
level pistols on Steel and Morland. Enter double doors R. 2 E. two work- 
ingmen.) PICTURE. 

CURTAIN. 
SECOND CURTAIN: Morland and Steel off stage, James and El- 
inor centre, Elinor holding James head in her lap. Si and Kitty back of 
Elinor. Group of workingmen looking at Elinor and James. PICTURE. 

CURTAIN. 
A SLAVE OF THE MILL. 
ACT. IV. 
SCENE: — Night. Interior and exterior cottage 3-4 across stage door at 
R. 2 E. of cottage opens to yard. Door at L. 2 E. of cottage inside 
Avindow in flat C. neatly and nicely furnished, table and chairs R. 
& L. L. of C. with lamp lighted, rocker R. of C. cottage small chairs 
about ad lib. etc. etc. Picket fence shows across stage at R. back 

35- 



of cottnyi' \V(>(h1 wings K. picket Iciu'e runs u[i and down stage K. 

Willi gate at K. 2 K. At rise Kitty discovered. 

K^^'i"^■. (Sings) "in days of old when kuigiits wore hold 

And harons held their sway 

A warrioi- Ixdd all dressed in gold 

Sang merrily his lay 
My love was young and fair, 

My love hath golden hair 

So what care 1 though death lii' nigh 

For love i li\e and die. 

So what care I tliough death be nigh 

For love 1 live and die!! 

(Enter Si door L. 2 E. wears medal.) 

My lo\e was young and fair 

lied as a rose his hair. 

Si. (Loftily) Oh! is that you Jvitty — what are you doing — sing- 
ing V 

KITTY. It didn't sound as if I was crying did it Silas? 

SI. Silas, Silas — who is tliat? You mean yiv. Doolittle don't youV 

KH'TY. (Ih! yes I forgot Mister Doolittle. 

SI. ^^'eIl I should say: Mister Doolittle sounds very much better 
coming from a little girl like you. (Sits down and yawns.) Excuse me 
from further coiiversation now won't you. I am rather enuied with the 
da\' — and the constant congratulations of my friends. Really it's a bore 
— a confounded bore to be a hero one scracel}' gets time to attend to one's 
own business, for such a mob of people insist upon shaking one's hand 
rer.lly. Miss — INliss — what's your name — oh, yes Kitty — Really Kitty — my 
right hand and wrist are positively sore tonight — down at the corner the 
ciowd positively blocked the crossing, gapping at me as I passed. 

KITTY. (Looking at him in dumb admiration.) Oh! Tell me 
all about it again Silas — 1 mean Mr. Doolittle; won't you — tliat is if you 
]iltase? 

SI. (Airily.) Ch ! It v,as scarcely — worth mentioning — really — 
the child fell into the water and — (Loftily clears throat) — I just jumped 
in and swam to shore with her. (Quickly.) Just like that — that's all. 

KITTY. And they gave you a medal — oh! Just think of it Si — 
1 mean Mr. Doolittle — a medal for being a hero and saving a life. Oh. 
m.\-. \\ouldn't the lady who marries you be proud to have tliat medal 
fran;ed and hang in her parlor in a red velvet frame? (Looks livingly at 
the medal.) 

SI. (Loftily yawns.) Oh! I dare say. I dare say, she would — 
but 1 should say it will be ipiite a "numbah of yeahs" before I marry. 

KITTY. (Shyly.) Oh! Why, Si— I mean Mr. Doolittle— 

SI. (Airily.) Oh! Because since this slight incident in my career 

36. 



llnM-c are sucli a iiuiiil>ali of girls— offering that it will really (•(iiisuim" 
:^oiiie considerabK' tiiiic tor ine to "cliose" bi'twecn tliem. 

KITTY. (Shyly.) I doiiT wish to aijpcar forward Si— 1 mean 
Mr. Doolittle. but I always kind of thou.uht that you— sort of- kind nf 
tiiought pretty well of lue. 

SI. (Yawns.) Hid youV Mow very (nU\. (Properly man nnide np 
for a sailor sticks his head in window in flat.) 
SAILOR. Hey mate! ! 

SI. (Shakes and trend)Ies) \Yho— who'.s that? 
SATLOR. It's me and if you don't fork over that medal 1 .^ot for 
savin' that ehild and wliat n'ou hired off'n me. J'll eonie in there and 
shiver your timbers! ! 

SI. (Trembling — trying to unjiin medal, but shakes so lie can't.) 
All right, good ^Nlr. Sailor. I'll give it back to you— in— in— just wait a 
minute. 

SAILOR. (To Kitty.) I begs pardon, ^liss, but he hired my medal 
for one day and has ke])t it two en — I was gettin' nervous about it. 

(To Si.) Hurry up thar, you Pirate, or I'll send a broadside into 
you that'll sei\d yon to Davy .Joneses locker. 

SI. (Loosens medal.) He — he — here it is — (Walks knees knocking 
togeth.er to window and hands medal to sailor.) 

SAILOR. Xext time I meet you outside I'm goin' to ram your bow- 
sprit into flinters and don't you forget it! ! (Exit at Avindow sailor.) 
(Si collapses Kitty convulsed. Points to Si.) 

KITTY. Gaze — gaze upon the hero — whose hand is sore from re- 
ceiving congratulations — Oh, farewell — hero — a long — a fond — a lasting 
fare— the— well. (Loftily imitating.) Oh! The child fell in and I just 
jumped in and swam to the shore. (Quickly.) Just like that — that's all. 
(Kitty laughs tauntingly and exits door L. 2. E.) 

SI. (Stands looking after her.) I'll bet a horse that my name is 
mud. she'll never forgive me never! ! But from out the stygian darkness 
of this me hour of defeat there comes one consolation in that I'd rather 
1 e a li^e coward than a dead hero. (Exit Si door R. 2. E. into yard and out 
gate R. 2. E.) 

(Enter L. 2. E. door inside ^lary and Elinor.) 
(Elinor sits at table, !Mary kneels beside her.) 
MARY. And won't he be back tonight, Auntie? 
ELINOR. I don't know, dearie — Uncle James has gone to look for 
tl'ose bad men who tried to kill him, and to see if he can find out any- 
tliing to help pnov L'ncle AValter. 

^lARY. And do you think he Mill, Auntie Elinor. 
ELIXOR. Oh! 1 don't know my darling— I only know that this 
suspense is killing me and that my heart is breaking slowly — breaking 
, hour by houi-. 

37- 



roiii 



^FARV. Then why don't you turn to Him, Auntie? 

ELIXOK. Turn to who, darling? 

MARV. Don't yon know, dear; Him you vc:ul to me about fi 
I lie Hij< liook — don't you remember what is said in that book? 

ELIXOK. (Absently.) Xo darling, Ainitie don't remember wliat 
you mean. 

MARY. I mean where it says— that whieli you taught me so that 
I know it by heart. 

ELINOR. And what was that, Mary? 

^NIARV. "And whatsoever ye shall ask in ^ly name, tliat will I do 
that the Father may be glorified in the Son." 

ELINOR. How am [ reminded to have faith in my prayers by the 
lips of a little child — it seems like a benediction from the steps of the 
throne. You are right, Mary, I shall pray again and again as I liavc 
been praying and I shall have faith. 

MARY. [(Yawns.) I'm sleepy, Auntie — 

ELINOR. Yes, It's time for you to go to bed — come say your pray- 
ers. 

^lARY. (Kneels, clasps hands.) All right Auntie — now I lay me — 
(Enter gate R. 2. E. with bloody forehead Donnazetta, she knocks on 
door R. 2. E. to house.) 

DON. Help-a — help-a for-a da pity of Heaven help-a. (Eninor 
runs to door opens it, enter Donnazetta in terror.) Lock-a de door — quick 
— quick! ! 

ELINOR. (Locks door.) ^Vhat's wrong, poor girl — and liow were 
you hurt? (Calls.) Kitty, Kitty, come quickly. 

DON. Ett-a was-a heem — ze man I lov-a ett was-a ^lorlan Crans- 
ton. 

ELINOR. Morland Cranston. 

DON. Se — se — he chok-a me — he — strike-a me in-a de dark. 1-a 
fall lie tink-a I been dead. He-a kick-a me wid his-a foot — and-a laugh-a 
at me — (Sobs.) And-a I lov-a him so — I lov-a him so. (Enter Kitty L. 
2. E. door.) 

ELINOR. Bring some warm water and a t owel, Kitty, as quiekl 
as yon can. 

KITTY. Y^es, Miss Elinor. (She exits to L. 2, E.) 
ELINOR. Morland Cranston — where is he? 
DON. Out-a dere — in-a de dark — sam-a place — he-a hide. 
ELINOR. And I am liere virtually alone — it is dangerous — danger- 
ous. He tried to kill my husband only a few nights ago in the mill. 
DON. He-a — is-a a fiend-a — 

ELINOR. Yes. a fiend without mercy. (Enter door L. 2. E. with 
llo^\ 1 of water and towel Kitty.) (Elinor bathes Don's wound and wipes it.) 
There now, you will soon feel better — ^^and he shall not harm you — we are 



licii' iiliiiu' but thank Ifcavcii my IuisIkukI left inc liis revolver- ami — 
(Opens table drawer, takes il out, hiy.s it on table.) I have it here, ami 
if Morlaiid Cranston dares to molest us I will kill him without mercy! ! 
What is your name my poor girl? 

DOX. Donnazetta— (Kisses Elinor's hand)— gratia— gratia— you-a 
so-a good-a to me! ! 

• ELINOR. Donnazetta, how strange, how strange! ! (Kitty exits 

witli bowl and towel door L. 2. E.) 

DOX. De-a nam you-a mean de-a nam. 

ELIXOR. X'^o. it is not that— but that is Mary's real name— when 
I got her fro mthe TJttle Sisters of the Poor there was a card and written 
on it were tliese words — "Her name is Donnazetta." 

DOX. {With the cry of a soul overjoyed runs and embraces Mary.) 
Siie-a is-a mine — she-a is-a mine — my-a Donazett — I tak-a her to-a de— 
i.ittle-a Sist, 1 writ-a de card: She-a is-a mine! ! 
(^Veeps and kisses Mary,) 

MARY. What does the poor lady mean. Auntie — she was here with 
the blind man that day and slie kissed my dress — WHAT does she mean? 
EMXOR. She means — 

DOX"". (Rising, to Elinor.) X^'o — no! ! (To Mary, slowly as thougli 
every \\oid was killing her.) I-a mean-a nuttin — I-a mak-a de meestake 
— de-a man hitta me on-a de head — I-a go crazed — I-a know-a not-a what-a 
I say — I-a only a poor-a girl — here-a you-a have everything, everything. 
I-a make-a de beeg meestake — your-a your-a. mudd (Sobs.) er iss dead! ! 
(Sinks to knees sobbing.) 

ELIXOR. (To INIary.) Come, dear, finish your prayer and go to bed. 
]MAIIY. All right. Auntie! (Elinor sits and Mary kneels at her 
knee.) 

DOX. (Rises.) Xo-a no! ! (Sits.) Here-a at-a my knee — just-a 
de once — just-a de one-a time! ! 

ELINOR. Co say your prayer at the poor lady's knee tonight dear. 

^lARY. All right! (Mary goes kneels at Donazetta's knee.) Xow 

I lay me down to sleep, I pvay the Lord my soul to keep; If I should die 

before I wake, I pray the Lord my soul to take." And God bless Auntie 

— and my L'ncle Jim — and Si — and Kittj' — Amen. 

(Goes to rise.) 

DON. Xo-a no, nott-a yet — say-a (Jod bless-a my-a mudder justa 
diss-a one-a time — won't-a you for-a me? 

ELINOR. Say it dear for the poor lady. 

ilARY. And God bless my mother — my poor mother who is dead! ! 
amen! ! (She rises, goes to Elinor. Don kneels arms outstretched to 
^lary.) Good night. Auntie — (Kisses Elinor), and may I kiss the lady 
good night. Auntie — I am so sorry for her. 
ELIXOR. Yes, darling. 

70. 



s 



(Kilter Kitty door L. 2. E.) 

MARY. (To Don. kissos licr.) (iood iiiulit. lady— and (iod bless 
your little j;irl if you have one! ! (Don \veo[)s.) 

KLINOK. Kitty, take ■Mary and put lier to bed. 

KITTY. Yes, :Miss Elinor. (Exit Kitty and Mary. Don stands 
staring- after them, crosses herself, kneels, poses looking ui)\vard mutely.) 
I'^LlXOll. Poor giv\, poor wounded woman — why have you denied 
\oiir cliildr 1 should not keep her from you. (^rorland shows at window.) 
DON". (Risinii. ) It-a is-a iiot-a dat— Tt-a is — thit I oanna not tell-a 
her wlio-a her fadder is — but-a you — you-a have-a cared foi-a licr — you-a 
hav-a shelter her-for-a you I sha11-a rh) -son,atin<i- yoiir-a biU(l~-( Don 
turns, , sees Borland.) (Sir.ks to knees.) He iss-a dere lie is-a dere. 

EIJXOR. Poor thing, her mind wonders — (Enter from around the 
house Mo. Enter R. 2. E. Steel he holds pistol at SiVs head.) My brother 
— my poor brother — do you know anything of him ? 

IXTN". Xo-a T-a know nuttin — I-a know-a nuttin — (Weeps.) 
MORLAXD. (Outside at door to Si.) Knock and tell them it is 
you. utter another word than what I tell you and Steel will blow your 
brains out! I (Si knocks at door.) 

ELTX'OR. (C4oes to door.) Who is it? 
STEEL. (To Si.) Answer, or I'll shoot! r 
SI. It's me! ! 

ELrXOR. Oh! I'm so glad. Si — we are quite alone — (Opens door, 
enter Morland, Steel and Si, Steel pushes Si in and whirls and locks door.) 
^lORLAXD. But are alone no longer, my dear Mrs. Brandon. 'Sir. 
Steel and I haA^e done ourselves the honor to call ! ! 
ELIXOR. You — you — (Shrinking away) — 

MORLAXD. Even me and don't forget, my dear friend ]\Ir. Steel — 
and as I live if here isn't Donazetta, why my dear, I really thought — we 
had killed you down the road, but have no fear — we'll do better this time. 
(Elinor moves toward ])isto] on table, IMorland beats her to table, giabs 
])istol.) I sliall relieve you of that if you please. (Looks about.) (^uite 
a delightful little family party I'll be bound. (Suddenly.) Stand ready 
Steel, this woman will do my way now or we'll kill the lot of them, the 
child included and set the house on fire to consume the evidence of our 
work! ! 

D(^X. De — a child you no-a do datt. 

MORLAXD. Steel, stop her mouth— and tie lier hands here— I'll 
help j'ou. She might prove dangerous. (Steel gags Don while ^loiland 
keeps Si and Elinor covered with the revolver he has taken from the table. 
Steel ties Don's hands.) There, she's quiet for the time being, and later 
Ave'll silence her fore^er! ! 

ELIXOR. What is it you want, Morland Cranston — in Heaven's 
name, speak. 



40. 



:M()KI.AX1). 1 am licro in the role of pliilaiitluopisl. my dear ^Irs. 
Brandon, to j,nvo you a diaiu-e to save your precious brother's lite. His 
trial eomes up tomorrow and you have a elianee to save him. 
KIJXOR. A chance to save Walter, only tell me how? 
:\I()RLAX]). Consent to my plan and I will leave this part of the 
country tonight and Steel will go with us — we are the only witnesses to 
the deed and without our testinu)ny the District Attorney cannot convict 
your brother and he will go scot free! ! 

ELIXOR. >ranie your price, Sir, and 1 will ])ay it even tliough it 
takes this home, which my luisljund ])ut iu my name 1 will give you every- 
tliing, everything 1 possess. 

:M0RLAND. That is it— I want you— 
ELINOR. :Me! ! (Angrily.) Wliat do you mean, sir? 
IMORLAXD. That if you will leave here tonight now, and go with 
uie, to be mine all mine, that I will not appsar against your brother tliat 
1 cannot do so — for I will be far away with you! ! What is your answer? 
ELIX'OR. You beast, you Judas to enter an honest man's home 
and insult his helpless wife in his absence — let my brother die if he must 
— I'd rather place him in that chair myself and die beside him than to 
pollute my soul by contact with such as you! ! 
STEEL. (To Mor.) I told you so! ! 

]\iORLAXD. And I told you that Jim Brandon was miles away, and 
that if she \\ould not come quietly we would take her by force. Get ready 

(Steel and ]Morland start for Elinor. Like a flash Jim smashes 
in window, stands with brace of pistols pointed at Steel and Morland.) 
(Kitty enters L. 2. E.) 

JAMES. Yes, get leady to die if you dare ot move an inch! ! 
(Calls.) All right, boys. 

FIIXOR. James, my husband — thank God! ! (Four working men 
followed by Lano enter R. 2. E. ) 

JAMES. Si, go unlock that door! ! (Si does so. AVorking men 
n"rh in and disarm Steel and ]\Iorland. James steps through window still 
holding revolvers, Elinor runs into James' arms still outstretched.) It's 
been a long chase, Cranston, but I've landed you at last, and when Walter 
is tried for murder tomorrow you will be held for attempting my life! ! 

'TRTAXD. Indeed, you'll have to prove the charge — I'm willing 
to run the risk, 

JAMES. Someone unloose that poor girl — (Points to Donnazetta. 
Si and Kitty do so.) (To ^Morland.) Oh! I'll prove it all right, and see 
you landed in prison where you belong. 

MORLAX'D. And give me all the better chance to see your precious 
brother-in-law die, eh ? 

DOX. Xo! ! He-a shall-a not die for-a I saw-a you kill-a de old-a 
man my-a self! ! 

41. 



MORLAND. D— n you, you have betrayed me! ! 

(Stops suddenly, slaps his hand over his mouth.) 

JAMES. No, Morland Cranston, you have betrayed yourself!!! 
Witness everybody that he is guilty of tlu- murder! ! Elinor, do you hear. 
Walter will be home tomorrow ! ! 

DON. You-a ruin-a me— you-a try-a to kill-a mo— now-a go-a to 
your-a death!! (Morland breaks away from men.) 

MORLAND. Oiu-se you— I did do it and I'll kill you too— help uw. 
Steel, as you helped me kill the old man! ! (Lano with a wild cry, gropes 
blindly and fastens onto ilorland's throat and bears him down.) 

LANO. Ta-a da hell— tola de— hell— to-a de hell!! 

ELINOR. James, stop him, stop him— let the law take its course. 
(James and one of the men try to break Lano's hold but cannot, Lano 
stands like a statute fastened onto Morland's throat.) 

LANO. (Looks up.) Madre Mariea!! (He pitches forward over 
Morland's body. Donnazetta kneels, examines them, crosses herself.) 

DON. It-a is-a de-a end— dey-a both dead and-a I am alone! ! 

ELINOR. No, Donazetta; for you shall live here with us and your 

child. 

JAMES. (Points to Steel.) Take him away, boys; you all heard 
Cranston say he was giiilty as accessory. Justic3, Elinor— Justice at last;; 

ELINOR. (Points to ]\Iorland and Lano.) But see my husband, 
the awful price. 

JAMES. (Reverently.) The Book is right, my Sweetheart— "The 
wages of sin is death! !" 

PICTURE. 

CURTAIN. 



42. 



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018 378 119 4 



